Comments for Big Yellow Creature (Spicebush swallowtail prepupa)
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Big Yellow Creature (Spicebush swallowtail prepupa)

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Two Eyed Yellow Caterpillar
by: Robert

I found the Spicebush Swallowtail Prepupa in my driveway but it was hard to find the correct name for it. I thought it was very unique.
Spicebush swallowtail prepupa
by: Moni

Caralyn
The photo is of a spicebush swallowtail caterpillar that is ready to pupate. Then after about 2 weeks you will see a beautiful black with blue highlights butterfly emerge.
Caterpillar: First three instars resemble a bird dropping. Last two instars are green with large eyespots - the two largest on third thoracic segment have black "pupils", two smaller ones on first abdominal segment do not. The larva changes color to orange or yellow just prior to pupating.
Sources report -
Caterpillar hosts: Spicebush, Sassafras trees, Red, Swamp and Silk Bays; perhaps prickly ash , Tulip tree , Sweetbay , and Camphor.
Adult food: Nectar from Japanese honeysuckle, jewelweed, thistles, milkweed, azalea, dogbane, lantana, mimosa, and sweet pepperbush.

Adults are found in deciduous woodlands, fields, roadsides, yards, pine barrens, wooded swamps, and parks
Caterpillars live in shelters of folded-over leaves and come out to feed at night. Some chrysalids from each generation hibernate.

Here are some images of your critter
http://bugguide.net/node/view/2648/bgimage

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