#butterfly larvae

[briery]

Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly larva (Papilio troilus). By Colleen Prieto on Flickr. (Hi-Res).

[jaubaius]

Sound on

Source

[blackswallowtailbutterfly]

Papilio polyxenes--Black Swallowtail Butterfly Part 1

Been some years since I've raised these, but it was a fantastic experience to do so! All photos are mine, most unedited, except for the one on the chicory plant because it was pretty dull lighting and I wanted to bring out the colour.

They caterpillars were munching away in my grandmother's raised herb garden, so I took them in and raised them. Then when they hatched I put them on various flowers in her garden. In college when I brought the last of the season's pupas with me, I put the ones that hatched on the wildflowers outside.

The caterpillars have five instars (some people say only three; I say they aren't paying enough attention). They start off looking like bird shit and with each moult they get stripier until they're green or white with black stripes that have yellow spots. Then eventually they choose a spot, take a massive shit, string themselves up, do a dance, shuck their skin and then harden.

The pupas are either green or brown depending on their environment. They aren't completely immobile. They will jerk about if something irritates them.

When the butterflies hatch it takes a little time for them to work up to flying. In that window, you can stage them and get your photos in before they take off.

The darker adults with the larger blue areas are female and the ones with the broader yellow stripes are the males. Most of mine ended up female. I personally think the females are prettier with their black and blue, but the males are still very attractive butterflies as well. See him face on the red geraniums. :)

Hand pictured is mine. lol

[kramzo]

Commission I made for @villeswasteoftime (finally tagging you works!), it’s her aunt’s dog (I think?) made to look like a butterfly larvae because, he does kinda look like a fat little worm <3

[briery]

Spicebush larva with osmeterium displayed When these caterpillars are confronted an orange forked gland flicks in and out like a tongue and secretes nasty smelling material. By John Flannery on Flickr. (Hi-Res).

[blackswallowtailbutterfly]

American Painted Lady Butterflies

Black swallowtails are not the only butterflies I've raised! American painted ladies, however, are not nearly so common in the garden, and these I actually found while working at the garden centre. Took them home, put them in the terrarium and fed them till they grew up. :)

[yourdogshealth]

Giant Swallowtail Caterpillar: Nature's Master of Disguise

Have you ever spotted what looks like bird droppings on your citrus tree, only to watch it crawl away? You’ve likely encountered one of nature’s most clever survivors. The giant swallowtail caterpillar has perfected the art of disguise. This remarkable insect transforms from an unwanted-looking larva into one of North America’s most beautiful butterflies. But the journey raises important…

Giant Swallowtail Caterpillar: Nature's Master of Disguise

[worthlessremedy]

MY BOYS HAVE SHED

They're so big and strong and handsome 💪💪💪