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Project Noah Nature School
Papilio zelicaon
The green eggs are laid singly on plants of the Magnoliaceae and Rosaceae families. Young caterpillars are brown and white; older ones are green with two black, yellow, and blue eyespots on the thorax. The caterpillar will turn brown prior to pupating. It will reach a length of 5.5 centimetres (2.2 in). The chrysalis varies from a whitish color to dark brown. Hibernation occurs in this stage in locations with cold winter months.
This beautifully colored little fella was found in a riparian area right smack in the middle of suburban San Jose.
Great series, Joshua! I especially like pictures 2 and 3. :) I love watching them eat!
Papilio zelicaon (missing an "o" in the suggestion). I agree with Karen that it is most likely an Anise Swallowtail! Tiger Swallowtail caterpillars look much different than this.
Here is another reference for the Anise Swallowtail:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/28235
Info on Papilio glaucus for comparison (scroll down the page to see the life stages of the caterpillar): http://bugguide.net/node/view/491
This late in the year? That tops my Painted Lady adult in Bandon Or, however that is an anise swallowtail, as per visual id and the food. Tiger's feed on tree leaves
http://www.desertusa.com/mag00/mar/papr/...
Spotted on Nov 22, 2013
Submitted on Nov 26, 2013
