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Orchard Swallowtail Caterpillar

Papilio aegeus

Photo by LeanneGardner
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

Caterpillars feed on citrus. Young caterpillars are brown & white & resemble bird droppings. Older ones are comouflage green. When disturbed , the caterpillars extrude reddish tentacles from their heads & emit a strong smell.

Habitat:

Found all over a lemonade tree (citrus).

Reference Links:

Garden Butterflies - Queensland Museum

Species ID Suggestions

Fuscous Swallowtail

Papilio fuscus

Reference Link
EarlyStages
1

Comments (3)
EarlyStages
Caterpillars are variable in color, usually brown . . . http://www.flickr.com/photos/qrius22/5573864226/in/set-72157626261028081 . . . but sometimes green: http://liljana.deviantart.com/art/This-leaf-is-Yum-15984318
LeanneGardner
I do think so. They seemed to start off green & then slowly go browner & then turn into a chrysalis. Though I'm not 100% sure
Maria dB
Do you think they are all the same species?

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Caterpillars and larvae of the World
Mission
Central Queensland Wildlife
Photographed
PublishedFebruary 18, 2012

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