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Submitted by: Moni

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Debbie The photo is of a spicebush swallowtail caterpillar that is ready to pupate. This pupa or chrysalis will overwinter at this time of year. The first three instars (larva stages) resemble bird droppings. The 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. This caterpillar feeds on spicebush, sassafras trees, Red, Swamp and Silk Bays; perhaps prickly ash , Tulip tree , Sweetbay , and Camphor. Adult butterflies feed on nectar from Japanese honeysuckle, jewelweed, thistles, milkweed, azalea, dogbane, lantana, mimosa, and sweet pepperbush. Adult swallowtails are large, black with some blue spots. They 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.

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