July 4, 2010

Black Swallowtail Caterpillar

I was so excited to find 6 stage 4 swallowtail caterpillars on the fennel. I planted it last year hoping to attract the caterpillars but didn't get any until this year. They were on the fennel for 5 days after I discovered them but are gone now. I wonder it the birds got them or if they have moved to the next phase of becoming a butterfly. I wish I could find them to watch the next phase.

2 comments:

Jaiya Alamia said...

Great photo! I discovered these swallowtail caterpillars on my wild fennel in October and November. Look for the chrysalis attached to the lower branches, and then for the butterflies that return to lay their eggs.

Nature's Beauty said...

Thanks Jaiyha. This was last year. I looked but didn't see any chrysalis but I did have the butterflies.