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Eastern Black Swallowtail Caterpillar

Papilio polyxenes

Description:

Caterpillars on the parsley are continuing to grow. First instar larvae grow to about 1.5 cm (0.59 in) long and resemble bird droppings. They are dark black with a white band in the middle and have spikes, with a light brown-orange ring at the base of each of the spikes in the dark region (spikes are white on the white band). Later instars grow to about 5 cm (2.0 in) and are green and black banded with yellow spots around every second black band. They have short, black spikes around some of the black bands, although these tend to disappear as the larva nears pupation. The black swallowtail caterpillar has an orange "forked gland", called the osmeterium. When in danger, the osmeterium, which looks like a snake's tongue, everts and releases a foul smell to repel predators.

Habitat:

Garen box

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1 Comment

Ric3
Ric3 10 years ago

Good eye to spot this.

gatorfellows
Spotted by
gatorfellows

Denton, Texas, USA

Spotted on Apr 15, 2013
Submitted on Apr 17, 2013

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