Zebra swallowtail (caterpillar)

Description:

Larva "ringed with narrow green, white, blue, yellow and/or black bands...Body widest at leading edge of A1 where body is ringed by tricolored band: blue-white towards thorax, followed by black...followed by yellow." Each abdominal segment also crossed by a yellow ring. Another larval form occurs which is largely black. Young larvae may also be black. Stripes are less prominent in final instar but A1 stripe is still noticeable. (information from BugGuide)

Notes:

A friend found several caterpillars on his pawpaw tree and brought them inside for observation and contained-rearing. It was exciting to see these caterpillars because the zebra swallowtail isn't a species we see often in Tulsa. He just happened to have the presence of mind to plant the host tree many years ago. (intentionally, of course)