Comments for
Brown with black strips and stinger (Palamedes Swallowtail caterpillar)

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PALAMEDES SWALLOWTAIL CATERPILLAR
by: Moni

Deb
Since Nature knows best...I would leave the caterpillars in the mulch. They do hibernate for the winter in the pupa stage, but that seems a little early yet for GA...they can be out there til December.
It may be they are just looking for a place to pupate and still have one more cycle before winter. Any way just leave them and see what they do :-)
Thanks for checking.
Swallowtails in GA?
by: Deb

September 19, 2011 : Found 2 in my mulch today.. I've never seen them before. Should I try to help them survive or are they ok in the mulch by my driveway?
wierd
by: chrissy

I live in central arkansas and i found one in my carport today. we asked a neighbor what it was and he didnt know so i looked it up. i thought the spots were eyes and the thing on the tail end was a stinger. apparently its spots and a tail.. he was as fat as a tomato worm. never seen one before.
PALAMEDES SWALLOWTAIL CATERPILLAR
by: Moni

Caterpillar sighting in GA
These are found in southeastern United States and into central Mexico.
No they are not poisonous.
RE: caterpillar sighting in GA
by: Anonymous

P.S. Is it poisnous?
Caterpillar sighting in GA
by: Anonymous

It's really weird! When I turned it over, it wiggled and turned back to where it has the pattern up. But in Atlanta, GA? Can somebody submit where these little critters live?
swallowtails
by: Suzanne

I found a green caterpillar with the fake eyes in Minneapolis last year - it developed into a tiger swallowtail that was beautiful. Glad I didn't give up on the caterpillar when I thought it was dead long before it revealed its beautiful swallowtail self.
Your photos are beautiful and what an eclectic assortment. Amazing variety. Thanks!
swallowtail caterpillar
by: Moni

Also the stinger is really a tail. Many caterpillars have them especially the Sphingidae family.
Palamedes Swallowtail caterpillar
by: Moni

Tammy
Your photo is of a Palamedes Swallowtail caterpillar. My guess is the reason it is so brown is that it is getting ready to either shed its skin to be a larger caterpillar or it is ready to pupate...I think the later is the case.
These larvae feed largely on Redbay, while the adults feed on nectar from several plants such as thistles, azaleas, and sweet pepperbush.
They are found in wet forests or swamps where redbay grows.
Great find...we do not have these up north.

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