The paw paw tree is the host plant for the Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly. Butterflies are picky when it comes to plants on which to lay eggs for larvae to develop. Larvae of each butterfly kind develop with usually only one kind of plant called their host plant. Right now there is a lot of interest in Monarchs which need milkweed plants as host plants. But, Zebra Butterflies, which I think are beautiful - even in the caterpillar form - which is when they eat, like the paw paw.

As butterflies they can only suck nectar and from many flowers, not particular plants then, and as they do, there is pollination. Local pollinators are important for many crops. Plant paw paws for the Zebra Swallowtail! --Vonnie Kolbenschlag