This black and yellow beauty is a Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus Lucas). It is one of the most common butterflies in the west. They are attracted to zinnias, milkweeds, thistles, penstemons and other flowers. They are found in woodlands near streams and rivers, wooded residential areas, canyons, parks, and sagelands and mesas with creeks. They may even be found in higher elevations.
We took this photo in Santa Cruz. This swallowtail happened to alight upon a Corn-cockle (Agrostemma githago) in our front yard.
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