Thursday, August 28, 2008

Butterfly Caterpillar


(black swallowtail caterpillar?)

I'm so excited! We were out playing with the dogs and I spotted this caterpillar in the parsley...I'm pretty sure I never saw the mother (or the father for that matter)...but I wonder if this is a black swallowtail caterpillar. That would be so great -- well it will be great whatever it is.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

How exciting Chris! I am definitely planting Parsley next season specificially for the caterpillers. :)

Cheryl said...

Now that is looking great....you are so lucky....

ChrisND said...

PGL, I didn't even plant it for the butterflies and I read on someone's blog that it is a host plant....so it will be a repeat crop -- maybe it will come back for it's second year.

ChrisND said...

Cheryl, I feel quite lucky...well that feeling can often be found in the gardens!

ChrisND said...

Nancy, I'm glad to hear someone else thinks that's what it is...I have liked seeing the butterflies in photos of other blogs...maybe I will get one too.

Q said...

Dear Chris,
Looks like a Black Swallowtail caterpillar to me! I also plant Parsley, Fennel and Queen Ann's Lace for the Black Swallowtails. Now that they have found you, as long as you have host plants, the Black Swallowtails will be near!
It is a beautiful caterpillar and butterfly.
Sherry

ChrisND said...

I will have to do that Q! I definitely want to encourage more butterflies.

Connie said...

I think you are right about what it is....they are beautiful in this stage, too, aren't they?

F Cameron said...

Yes, that looks like a BST. I also grow bronze fennel for them. My garden is a Monarch Waystation, but all are welcome! I found your blog via PGL's blog. It's really great, so I'll stop by more often.
Cameron (Defining Your Home Garden)

chey said...

How exciting Chris! Definitely looks like a Black Swallowtail Caterpillar from pictures I've seen. I may be planting some of that parsley!

ChrisND said...

Thanks guys for commenting, and still stopping by to visit.

Connie: These caterpillars do look interesting.

DYH: Sounds like fennel may be on my new plant list...I have noticed our garden also serves as a waystation of which I am glad. Happy to have you visit... will try to stop by your site too.

Chey: Always happy to confirm with I find in the garden. This was my first parsley year...now I'm excited to keep it up!