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ambrax swallowtail caterpillar

Papilio ambrax

Photo by Scott Frazier
Published on Project Noah
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-2.56285, 140.504

Field Notes

Description:

A caterpillar on a lime sapling.

Habitat:

Spotted on a lime sapling in a large semi-urban yard/garden adjacent to a disturbed patch of remnant forest.

Notes:

Identified with expert advice, see comments.

See a spotting of another caterpillar on the same plant from the previous day at http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/7250332

Species ID Suggestions

Ambrax Swallowtail

Papilio ambrax

Comments (7)

Can't say for sure, Scott, but probably not. I'd keep Papilio demoleus for that smaller caterpillar since it's your most common swallowtail.
Hi EarlyStages/Kieth. Would you also say that the page I have linked to this spotting, namely http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/7250332 is also Papilio ambrax? Thanks
Dear Mr. Frazier, Greetings from a lepidopterist who studies the immature stages and hostplant utilization of butterflies in order to better understand their scientific placement. I am excited to report that this is NOT a Papilio demoleus larva, which in its darkest form does appear similar, but rather something much more unusual. Thus, hoping to accurately identify your caterpillar and also aid my research, please contact me at [email protected]. Thanks and best wishes! Keith Wolfe

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