Eastern Black Swallowtail larva (Papilio polyxenes)
Fourth or Fifth instar (denoted by green and black stripes with yellow-orange spots on the latter) Eastern Black Swallowtail feeding on fennel in my garden. Showed its osmeterium (defense mechanism) when I brushed its prothoracic segment. Once done feeding, the caterpillar will purge and begin looking for a place to form a chrysalis.
Habitat:
Fennel plant in organic garden surrounded by mixed hardwood forested area and an overgrown yard/field.
The Black Swallowtail is a butterfly found throughout much of North America. It is the state butterfly of Oklahoma. An extremely similar-appearing species, "Papilio joanae", occurs in the Ozark Mountains region, but it appears to be closely related to "Papilio machaon", rather than "P. polyxenes".
