Eastern tiger swallowtail
Papilio glaucus
35.9132, -79.0558
Field Notes
Description:
This butterfly flies from spring to fall, during which it produces two to three broods. Young caterpillars are brown and white; older ones are green with two black, yellow, and blue eyespots on the thorax. The caterpillar will turn brown prior to pupating. It will reach a length of 5.5 centimetres (2.2 in). The chrysalis varies from a whitish color to dark brown. Hibernation occurs in this stage in locations with cold winter months.
Habitat:
Mason Farm Biological Reserve
Notes:
I see these butterflies around my garden all the time but this is the first time I’ve seen the caterpillar in person!
Comments (2)