Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 996423

Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes

Observation date: August 03, 2014
Submitted by: kyyote
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: At first we thought there were only two variations but we found three similar caterpillars among many. The patterns are: yellow dots on black separated by one white band; yellow dots on a black band touching a white band separated by a second white band; yellow dots on a black band touching a pale green band separated by a second pale green (or white) band. They come every year on our parsley.
Status: Resident
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: August 06, 2014
Coordinator notes: This has to be Papilio polyxenes (Black Swallowtail), but I have never seen a black larva. I have larvae on my own parsley plants, but they are green with the same lines and dots. you should put this caterpillar and lots of parsley into a container where it can make its chrysalis, and then wait to see what the resulting adult butterfly looks like. I am very curious to see if this black larva leads to a normal adult or a strange adult. Please keep me posted at sjcary@earthlink.net
Checklist region(s): United States, New Mexico, Grant County