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Papilio polyxenes - Black Swallowtail Caterpillar The larvae of this species changes color quite dramatically with each molt. This picture shows the last instar, which is green with black bands dotted with yellow spots on each segment. I think it was getting ready to pupate as it was really still and didn&#039;t show its osmeterium when I touched it.<br />
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Habitat: On fennel (Foeniculum sp.) in a rural garden.<br />
<figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/83302/papilio_polyxenes_-_black_swallowtail_caterpillar.html" title="Papilio polyxenes - Black Swallowtail Caterpillar"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3232/83302_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=EwxYOXQtg%2FDp%2FrVDom2BDyxOADs%3D" width="200" height="158" alt="Papilio polyxenes - Black Swallowtail Caterpillar The larvae of this species changes color quite dramatically with each molt. This picture shows the last instar, which is green with black bands dotted with yellow spots on each segment. I think it was getting ready to pupate as it was really still and didn&#039;t show its osmeterium when I touched it.<br />
<br />
Habitat: On fennel (Foeniculum sp.) in a rural garden.<br />
https://www.jungledragon.com/image/83303/papilio_polyxenes_-_black_swallowtail_caterpillar.html Black Swallowtail,Geotagged,Papilio polyxenes,Summer,United States,caterpillar" /></a></figure> Black Swallowtail,Geotagged,Papilio polyxenes,Summer,United States Click/tap to enlarge

Papilio polyxenes - Black Swallowtail Caterpillar

The larvae of this species changes color quite dramatically with each molt. This picture shows the last instar, which is green with black bands dotted with yellow spots on each segment. I think it was getting ready to pupate as it was really still and didn't show its osmeterium when I touched it.

Habitat: On fennel (Foeniculum sp.) in a rural garden.

Papilio polyxenes - Black Swallowtail Caterpillar The larvae of this species changes color quite dramatically with each molt. This picture shows the last instar, which is green with black bands dotted with yellow spots on each segment. I think it was getting ready to pupate as it was really still and didn't show its osmeterium when I touched it.<br />
<br />
Habitat: On fennel (Foeniculum sp.) in a rural garden.<br />
https://www.jungledragon.com/image/83303/papilio_polyxenes_-_black_swallowtail_caterpillar.html Black Swallowtail,Geotagged,Papilio polyxenes,Summer,United States,caterpillar

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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".

Similar species: Moths And Butterflies
Species identified by Christine Young
View Christine Young's profile

By Christine Young

All rights reserved
Uploaded Aug 17, 2019. Captured Aug 17, 2019 08:02 in 91 Main St, Sharon, CT 06069, USA.
  • Canon EOS 80D
  • f/9.0
  • 1/99s
  • ISO400
  • 100mm