We saw a bunch of caterpillars on our lemon tree at backyard. Odd looking caterpillars.
Image 01 - Swallowtail's caterpillar
The critters ate tons of leaves on our lemon tree that stripped the key lime tree bare, almost complete defoliation.
From caterpillars, they will form a cocoon then the gorgeous butterfly, Swallowtail butterfly (You may Google to see complete lifecycle).
Other favorite plants include:
- Fennel
- rue
- prickly and spicebush.
Image 02 - Gorgeous Swallowtail
We have seen them on mature orange and satsumas and can’t tell that they made any difference at all. They don’t eat the fruit, so they stay on the trees.
Image 03 - Swallowtail, fly over the flower.
Do you recognize Swallowtail butterfly in nature?
# Previous postings:
Yeah, they are plentiful around here
ReplyDeleteLove butterflies !!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's rare to see caterpillar around here...
Have a nice weekend !
Anna
Feliz fin de semana, un viva por esas orugas que se convertirán el lindas mariposas.
ReplyDeleteUn beso
The butterflies are very beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHello :)
ReplyDeleteI love the various species of Swallowtail butterflies, not so much the caterpillars, but there can't be one without the other. :) Nice post!
Me gustan las mariposas. Me gusto aprender más sobre ellas. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful finders and caterpillars you had seen. Not always fun when you have caterpillars in the garden but they have to eat if they are to become beautiful butterflies. Here in my area, I haven't observed the swallowtail yet. I used to see one once but that was years ago. The butterflies are not doing so well here in NL Greetings from my nature website.
ReplyDelete