| Black
Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio polyxenes)
The Black Swallowtail is a common
butterfly known for its colorful larva that are found
on dill and parsley.
Caterpillar Stage. The caterpillar
is found on Dill, Parsely, and related plants. . The caterpillars
are almost always found near the small flowers of the
plant. They prefer eating the flowers or young seeds.
This is also where the eggs are laid.
Chrysalis Stage. Most of the chrysalises
are green with a yellow back, but some of them have turned
brown. Both kinds have hached.
The Black Swallowtail has a black body with yellow spots
along each side. The wings are black, dorsal side,
with two bands of yellow markings running down laterally.
On the lower wings, the female has a distinctive blue
band of coloration between the two yellow bands, with
a red spot near the
tails, whereas the male has less blue with more distinctive
red spots. On the ventral side, there are brilliant orange-red
and blue markings located laterally, on the lower wings,
and two rows of yellow markings located laterally on the
upper wings.
Size: The Black Swallowtail is 2.75-3.5
inches in width , and 3-3.5 inches in
height.
Food: The caterpillar feeds on wild
or cultivated carrots, parsley, celery, and dil.
Geographic Range: The Black Swallowtail
is found all throughout North America, and north into
southern Canada.
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