What's that Caterpillar?

Eastern Black Swallowtail larva & chrysalis
Butterflies and caterpillars are in full bloom this month at Palmer's garden. We found this caterpillar munching away on our dill plant and at first glance, it appeared to be a Monarch. The chrysalis above it gave it away though. This was an Eastern Black Swallowtail. Don't be confused when you see the youngest of them though as the smaller larvae found on the same plant that's black with red spikes and white saddles is also the Eastern Black Swallowtail. They shed that skin when they are about 20% grown.


Baby "White Saddle"- Eastern Black Swallowtail

Below is what they look like during the different stages of their larva life.

Four Eastern Black Swallowtails
The baby is second from the left sandwiched between what we some times call a junior and a senior. The largest and curled one on the right is beginning to assume the position to shed its skin and turn into a chrysalis.


Monarch and Eastern Black Swallowtail
In contrast, Monarchs have white, yellow and black stripes instead of green and they have black antenna on both ends so they can confuse their predators.


Milk Weed, the host plant for Monarchs
If you look very closely [or click on the photo above to enlarge] on the curled leaves in the center, you can see the yellow spheres that are the eggs of the Monarch.


Eastern Black Swallowtail chrysalis

Once the caterpillars have eaten enough and grown to full size. They will then shed their skin and attach themselves to a nearby branch or underside of leaf that is out of the rain. We have raised these swallowtails in a large critter cage purchased at pet store and they almost always attach themselves to the roof. In the photo above, you can see two completed chrysalis and the center larva in the final stage of shedding its skin.


Translucent shedded chrysalis & a new Monarch
In the photo above, you can see the chrysalis that this butterfly just pulled itself out of moments before this photo was taken. The first few minutes, they like to have a branch to clasp while fluttering and drying their wings. If you put your finger under their feet, they will often do this on your hand and some times even fly back to you a few times when they are first flying around your yard.

Monarchs usually emerge from the chrysalis within a week or two with warmer temperatures speeding up the process. Be warned though, Eastern Black Swallowtails are erratic on the timing and have even been known to winter over and come out months later with 14 months being the known record. When they do, make sure that you release them within 24 hours and preferably near some nectar plants so they can get their first drink as soon as possible.


This new Monarch was placed on a pot of nectar plants which included pintas, zinnias, periwinkles and pink gaura, aka whirling butterfly bush.


Brand new Eastern Black Swallowtail
Here's one that just eclosed and is ready to start it's new life. For more information about Butterflies and help identifying the ones you see in your garden, check out:
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1356