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Papilio polyxenes
The black swallowtail caterpillar goes through a number of stages or "instars", before pupating (forming a chrysalis) & metamorphism into a butterfly. Between each instar, the caterpillar sheds its old skin & pumps itself up the stretch the skin underneath to make room for growth. This sequence shows a number of different individuals, from left: first instar, 3rd instar, 4th or final instar, chrysalis, newly emerged butterfly.
Semi rural backyard habitat.
On fennel in our butterfly garden. I've yet to find a second instar caterpillar or the eggs.
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