Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1069558

Western Giant Swallowtail
Papilio rumiko

Observation date: October 15, 2015
Submitted by: shakespearenut
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: I went outside to water our baby orange tree and thought, "Wow, what a big bird poop," until it started moving. Is this beautiful caterpillar going to destroy my sapling?
Status: Resident
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: October 15, 2015
Coordinator notes: This is actually going to become Papilio rumiko, a Western Giant Swallowtail, a sibling species of cresphontes. I cannot say what that caterpillar may or may not do-Ken Davenport