Western tiger swallowtail, Papilionidae rutulus

Those purple coneflowers we planted were a great investment for increasing the number and variety of bug visitors in our yard. Twice, I have looked through the kitchen window to see a beautiful yellow swallowtail. But by the time I grab the camera, its big wings are already carrying it far, far away.

Like the Aphrodite, which I saw only once, this butterfly is unlikely to return. Maybe next year I'll catch it with my camera. Until then, this great photo by Flickr user audreyjm529 will have to suffice.