Swallowtail caterpillars eat plants from the birthwort, citrus, carrot, and custard-apple families. Young caterpillars also eat plants from the magnolia, olive, laurel, and rose families.

The first time I saw a giant swallowtail butterfly years ago, I just happened to walk out to get the mail and saw it nectaring on lantana in my flower bed by the road. What a surprise! This huge pa… ...

He darts among trees, searching for giant swallowtail eggs (minuscule) and caterpillars -- some smaller than rice grains -- on odorous rue plants that he grew solely to attract egg-laying adults.

The first instar is black with a white band or saddle around its midsection. If the caterpillar does not move and if you do not look carefully, you will probably mistake it for a bird dropping.

What are they, and what should I do? — Angie Balius This is the orange dog caterpillar, the immature form of the giant swallowtail butterfly — one of the most beautiful of our native butterflies.

East Texas is home to a wide array of fascinating wildlife, including the giant swallowtail butterfly. Known for its impressive size and striking appearance, this butterfly is a frequent visitor ...

Watch as black swallowtails grow from tiny caterpillars to full grown adults. Compared to other butterfly species, these little guys change in appearance as they graduate from one instar phase to ...

Pipevine swallowtail: Large black butterfly with shimmering blue hind wings. Caterpillar feeds on Aristolochia plants like Dutchman’s pipe. Cloudless sulphur: Large yellow butterfly.

For instance, the giant swallowtail caterpillar mimics bird poop–right up to the smell. The giant swallowtail ( Papilio cresphontes) caterpillar disguises itself as bird poop, down to the smell.

Swallowtail butterfly spotted in South Burlington Skinner spotted four caterpillars Tuesday afternoon at the UVM horticultural farm, feeding on low-growing hoptree (or prickly-ash) — a plant in ...

Six species of swallowtail butterflies occur locally, and they combine yellow, black, orange, blue and red in several diverse patterns that invariably catch the eye.