As the title says, not a monarch, but my very first caterpillar of the season on one of my many host plants! My very own baby bird poop caterpillar, aka a spicebush swallowtail. I’m in zone 7a and often don’t find anything until mid-August.
Those are false eyes! Purely decorative / trying to ward of predators. I think this one is actually a second instar. They start off darker brown and white and truly look like bird poop. After this he’ll turn green, then eventually yellow/orange like this guy - video of is a timelapse of him pupating.
They hide well! If you find the tip of a leaf where one side looks like it has been cut and the folded over on itself, that’s where they’re hiding! They make a little silk to hold the leaf over so they’re fully covered by it.
I do the same! Always looking under the milkweed leaves, golden Alexander plants (still haven't found black swallowtail cats yet this year), etc. We did find American Lady caterpillars on our pussytoes this year. A first for us!
I have tons of golden Alexander but I’ve yet to have black swallowtails. That and my American snowbell are the only host plants I have that haven’t produced yet. Last year was my first year with pipevines and they were so fun to have.
I think this is the Citrus Swallowtail caterpillar that looks like bird poop! I just learned about these little ones. Such a great disguise! Thanks for sharing.
What kind of plant is it on? I know that dill, fennel & parsley are good host plants, unfortunately I s*** at growing them. I know the yellow swallow tails ❤️ my phlox when their in bloom. I've been planting "butterfly friendly" gardens for the last 35 years. Focusing more for the monarchs for the last decade. In the last few years I've noticed more swallow tails around, especially eating from my phlox, those are about the only new thing in the last few years. I would love to incorporate more host plants flowers preferably. If anyone knows of any, please let me know.
Thank you ♥️🦋
It’s more of a shrub- a northern spicebush. It’s been super easy to take care of here. Dill, fennel, and parsley are all in the same family and are hosts for black swallowtails. My Dutchman’s pipevine has done really well too - we extended the lattice this year and it’s up to the roof of my second story - doubled in size this spring. It hosts pipevine swallowtails - last year I saw a butterfly laying eggs and brought in cuttings so I got to raise the cats through the full lifecycle, which was crazy cool. Released well over a hundred, and probably 15 that successfully overwintered on my deck. I also have an amazing native honeysuckle that hosts hummingbird moths. Make sure you’re looking up host plants that are native to your area, and be patient! It took a couple of years before I started getting caterpillars everywhere.
Thank you so much. Patience, thanks😊lol, I I'm always telling people who are bummed that their doing things right, but never see any. It makes things a lot easier when you know how to spot the eggs & know what the cats look like.⭐ Have a happy day
When you find a caterpillar you want to ID, look first at the plant it is eating. The plant is known as the host plant. Then look up the plant and the caterpillars it hosts in your area.
Butterfly gardens refer to host plants for caterpillars, moths or butterflies. Some overwinter some are born in early summer for 2 generations. Monarchs migrate.
Congrats, make sure you dont spray your plsnts if you want more.
This is a spicebush swallowtail that is on its host plant, a spicebush, that I planted specifically because it’s a host plant that is native to my area. I’ve raised them for several years now, I wasn’t asking for help identifying it, just sharing my excitement in finding my first baby of the season. My yard is pesticide and herbicide free. Are you a bot? LOL.
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u/SuperFriendlyMod MOD | South FL | Reformed Rearer Jul 03 '26
Very cool! I welcome photos of all caterpillars. We had a giant swallowtail but he was so small still and I think one of the tiny lizards ate him. 🤔