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Brownish black with blue and yellow dots (Western Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar)

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Western Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar
by: Moni

Mandy
Based on where you are located your caterpillar is a Western Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar. They do look much like the Pales, Canadian and Eastern swallowtail caterpillars, however the "eye" has a larger pupil than some of the others and has a separate spot next to the eye.
This butterfly is found from the east side of the Rockies then to the west. There is one generation per year where you are.
The butterflies like to feed on nectar from many flowers. The caterpillars feed on leaves of cottonwood, birch, elm, willow, alder, sycamore, or aspen trees. They overwinter as pupa/chrysalis.
Since your caterpillar is dark colored, this means it is about to pupate.
Here are photos of the butterfly and other stages to show your son - http://bugguide.net/node/view/24573/bgimage


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