Comments for
black and yellow caterpiller (Black swallowtail caterpillar)

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BLACK SWALLOWTAIL CATERPILLAR
by: Moni

ZC
Yes that is the black swallowtail...as I mentioned below...
The main reason birds do not bother this caterpillar is because it will stick out smelly orange "horns" to prevent predators or us from picking them up.

Ummm
by: ZC

I saw one exactly like a swallowtail but when I touched it orange antennes came out of it's head and then went back in again. Is that still a swallowtail or is it a different one?
Black swallowtail caterpillers
by: Rose

Just found 3 black swallowtail caterpillers on my parsley plant. I did some research on google and bought a habitat fixed it up for them and they are happily munching away on the parsley I put in there for them. I also included some branches on a steep angle. So far so good...It's been 3 days and they are doing what they are supposed to do. I can't wait for the next stage. I hope I get butterflies. I will let them go and start the cycle again.
Protection for caterpillars
by: Mary Oppman

We plant parsley and fennel every year for the black swallowtails, once we've seen the butterfly lay eggs, we put a screened cage over it to protect them...then sit back watch them mature and turn into chrysalis....so amazing...we never tire of it.
Sorry,
by: Lin

I was trying to apolgize to George about the caterpillar that I told him wrong, because someone else told me the wrong one. I didn't mean to mislead you.
Black Swallowtail Caterpiller
by: George

Thank you Moni - your input was quite informative and I enjoyed learning more about my future butterflies!
Black swallowtail caterpillar
by: Moni

George
Dear fellow Westervillian (lived there for 12yrs ) your caterpillar will turn into a Black swallowtail butterfly as you thought. This caterpillar feeds primarily on plants of the carrot family and some in the Rue Family . It is usually found on Dill, Parsley, Fennel, Carrot, and Rue in gardens, and Queen-Anne's-Lace, Poison Hemlock, and Lovage in the wild. (Monarchs only feed on milkweed plants).
The main reason birds do not bother this caterpillar is because it will stick out smelly orange "horns" to prevent predators or us from picking them up. It is possible for caterpillars to be parasitized by flies and wasps, however I have not seen too many of this species affected like that.
It overwinters as a pupa/chrysalis, so once these have finished eating they will be spending the winter in your garden on the plants they attach to.
The adult butterfly is black with yellow spots for the male and yellow with blue spots for the female. They are a common garden butterfly. They are found in eastern North America, also southwestern United States, and south to northern South America.

Here are photos of the butterflies and larvae. -
http://bugguide.net/node/view/2636/bgimage
He/She
by: George

Thanks for your input Lin. I have plenty of parsley which re-seeded itself from last year so they can eat all they want!
He/She
by: Lin

They will eat all they can eat "gorge" themselves until time to turn into their next stage. I have never had a problem with birds eating them, maybe because of their color? Also, I don't know where they go after they have stuffed themselves as they are very good at hiding themselves. I have had the most beautiful butterflies this year for some reason.
Don't kill him/her
by: George

I have no intention of killing these beautiful creatures and wish to protect them (there are 3 of them)! Any suggestions?

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