Black Swallowtail Caterpillar - Papilio polyxenes - BugGuide.Net

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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Butterflies and Skippers (Papilionoidea) » Swallowtails, Parnassians (Papilionidae) » Papilioninae » Fluted Swallowtails (Papilionini) » Papilio » Black Swallowtail - Hodges#4159 (Papilio polyxenes) » Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes asterius)

Photo#182930

Copyright © 2008 Ron M.

Black Swallowtail Caterpillar - Papilio polyxenes

Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, USA
May 13, 2008

Papilio polyxenes - Pretty sure about ID but I would still like confirmation before moving these to species level.

Images of this individual: tag all

Black Swallowtail Caterpillar - Papilio polyxenes

Black Swallowtail Caterpillar - Papilio polyxenes

Black Swallowtail Caterpillar - Papilio polyxenes

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Contributed by Ron M. on 16 May, 2008 - 4:18am
Last updated 8 July, 2009 - 5:50pm

Moved

Moved from Black Swallowtail.

… David J. Ferguson, 8 July, 2009 - 5:50pm

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I've looked at other pictures

and I would say yes. I'm not expert yet but I studied the markings, and I'm pretty sure it's Papilio polyxenes. What was its host plant?

… catman529, 16 May, 2008 - 9:44am

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I agree, Black Swallowtail (also not an expert) but

I had these in my garden, also in Kenner for the first time this year on Cilantro. I took 4 inside to rear but only one made it to eclosion. I am curious to know what plant it was on. I'm hoping to see more of them. The adults are much more beautiful "in person" than in pictures.

… sbannister, 16 May, 2008 - 4:18pm

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Catman and Susan;

Thanks for your help. I will move these to Black Swallowtail.

As far as the host plant... I am not sure. I looked through all the pictures of this caterpillar and the 2 others (both smaller) that I saw that day and found only one decent picture of the plant. I have posted it also. Please let me know if you recognize it.

… Ron M., 17 May, 2008 - 5:16am

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Looks like either fennel or dill...

and those are hosts of the species. Great pictures!

… sbannister, 19 May, 2008 - 8:39am

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not an expert...

I think this one looks closer to the coloration of the Anise Swallowtail, do they eat fennel or dill? Is there any way to tell them apart without seeing the adult? just curious... thanks!

… kwisawis, 17 July, 2008 - 9:33pm

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Anise swallowtail

Does eat dill & parsley BUT it's range is western US according to the Kauffman Field Guide. So many swallowtails, but they're all beautiful!

… sbannister, 18 July, 2008 - 9:52am

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