orange dog caterpillar

Description:

The orange dog caterpillar is mostly brown with some white and yellow blotches, resembling bird droppings more than a caterpillar. When disturbed, it will try to scare you off by extruding two orange horns. It doesn't sting or burn but contains a pungent odor. When touched it may leave your hand or finger with a strong smell that is hard to wash off.

Habitat:

found on young foliage of citrus trees.

Notes:

The swallowtail is one of the largest and most beautiful butterflies in our area. Its larval stage or caterpillar is known as the orange dog. This unusual name comes from the fact that it feeds on the young foliage of citrus trees