Zebra Swallowtail Eurytides marcellus

Tennessee's state butterfly earned its zebra nickname honestly—bold black-and-white stripes truly resemble the African mammal. But here's the weird part: this swallowtail is completely inseparable from pawpaw trees and rarely ventures far from them. The caterpillars (green or jet black) feed exclusively on pawpaw leaves, while adults sip nectar and minerals from mud puddles. Elegant tail-like extensions on the hindwings make it one of the most recognizable butterflies in eastern North America. Want to find one? Locate a pawpaw tree—odds are excellent a zebra swallowtail is nearby.