I was sitting on my front porch last weekend, eating watermelon, when I noticed some drooping branches on some dill that bolted in the front garden bed. I examined the plant a little closer, and was delighted to find at least three fat and happy caterpillars chomping down on the dill.
I have planted tons of things in the front specifically to attract butterflies and their larvae, so I was really excited to see the caterpillars. It was also a really cool opportunity to show my son real caterpillars.
I'm not really sure what kind of caterpillars they are. I did a quick scan of What's that bug? and found an photo that looked really similar of a black swallowtail butterfly caterpillar, which I don't recall seeing in the yard last year. I've ruled out Monarch, Queen and Hackberry, which I've seen in the garden before.
If you know what it is, write in a let me know!
1 Comments
Dar said:
Just happened upon your article about the caterpillar on the dill. Looks like a black swallowtail to me. I've raised 2 in the past that dined on my organic parsley. Its quite interesting and fun to raise them through the larva stage into an emerging swallowtail. If you have children this is especially fun and an education.
Just happened upon your article about the caterpillar on the dill. Looks like a black swallowtail to me. I've raised 2 in the past that dined on my organic parsley. Its quite interesting and fun to raise them through the larva stage into an emerging swallowtail. If you have children this is especially fun and an education.