Western Giant swallowtail: Heraclides rumiko

Yes, the Western Giant Swallowtail caterpillars (Papilionidae genus) species Heraclides rumiko; used to be identified as H. cresphontes, but those are found on the East coast. In 2014, their DNA revealed they are related but separate species. It must’ve been their parents I ran into on my balcony some days ago. They didn’t seem to notice me as they flew together perfectly like in a dance of lovers. By the time i got my camera, they were gone. But good news! Today i discovered 4 young miracles on the leaves of my rue. They are known to prefer and damage citrus trees. I will check my lemon tomorrow. As the caterpillars get closer to pupae their camouflage makes them look like a bird turd on a twig. And that’s exactly what i thought the older one was! Then i saw the little feet! Then I found three younger siblings.https://zookeys.pensoft.net/showimg.php?filename=oo_36235.jpg