Giant Swallowtail Caterpillar

Description:

The larvae of the Giant Swallowtail butterfly. A few weeks ago, a swallowtail planted her eggs on a tree in my back yard. I have been monitoring them from egg-hood, and a week ago this is what they looked like. I came back from a vacation and they were all gone! They probably went into metamorphosis and came out of their chrysalises while I was gone. I hope they weren't eaten!

Habitat:

Tangerine tree in the backyard of a house in CA. Eggs laid on the folds and undersides of leaves. Last place seen: migrating to the trunk of the tree for metamorphosis.

Notes:

Referred to by many people as the 'bird poop' caterpillar due to their unique camouflage tactics.