Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 929329

Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes

Observation date: September 12, 2013
Date notes: The first image was taken on 9-11-13_14:46 and the second image on 9-12-13_11:24
Submitted by: Anna_holmes
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: I had parsley plant with four caterpillars one day and only two the next day. I covered them with netting to protect the remaining two. One was gone the next day and it was apparent that chipmunks were eating them (residue). I moved part of the parsley plant to a terrarium, however the single remaining caterpillar did not want to stay on the parsley and insisted on climbing the glass side. I moved it to a twig that I placed inside the parsley clump and it assumed the J form for almost a day before I took the first image. I took these two images at approximately 20 hours 28 minutes apart from one another. Although I have seen and photographed the Eastern Black Swallowtail, I just recently saw what might be an Anise Swallowtail (which I admit would be out of its normal geographic range), so I will definitively know when it assumes the adult form if this is an Anise Swallowtail caterpillar or Black Swallowtail caterpillar. It would be good to document if the Anise Swallowtail is in Alabama as it is considerably out of its normal range.
Status: Resident
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: January 29, 2014
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): United States, Alabama, Madison County