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Lifecycle of black swallowtail butterfly

Papilio polyxenes

Description:

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.

Habitat:

Semi rural backyard habitat.

Notes:

On fennel in our butterfly garden. I've yet to find a second instar caterpillar or the eggs.

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KarenL
Spotted by
KarenL

Franklin, Tennessee, USA

Spotted on Sep 4, 2012
Submitted on Sep 5, 2012

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