Hubby and I were sitting on the swing earlier today. Something fell on his head (he originally thought it was bird poop!) It was caterpillar! He placed it in the Hairy Wandering Jew plant. It sat there and let me get photos. My internet was down most of the day, so I just now found out what it was. Oh yeah...one of it's host plants is a Sassafras tree. Guess which tree the swing sets under? Spicebush Swallowtail Cat ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Spicebush Swallowtail Cat ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Spicebush Swallowtail Cat ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Hopefully it made it's way back up the Sassafras tree.
Don't be alarmed if it disappears, they turn green/yellow when they are ready to pupate and they find a leave on or near the ground to pupate. It most likely fell out of the tree on purpose to begin the next stage of life. Good find, they are really cute.
Yep cute indeed! And isn't nature wonderful in providing camouflage? Makes me wish I could put a tracking device on it so I can watch it develop.
That's one special caterpiller for certain. I'd love to see it in real life. Please post photos when it (or another one) turns into a butterfly.
What an interesting foto, Cheryl. That is a very interesting little caterpillar indeed. Sometimes the larvae are just as interesting to see as the end stage itself.
I agree that they are so interesting to look at. I am hoping my Monarch caterpillars will be back this year. I babied the swamp weed plants over the winter with some extra protection and they are coming along just fine. Great pictures..
Well spotted. I like the way Mother Nature provides for prey species so that they have every chance of surviving to adulthood.
There has been some swallowtails flitting about, but I have not had my camera handy to get a photo. I'll keep trying though.
