Saturday, August 28, 2010

Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar (Papilio troilus)

Today we found this Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar (Papilio troilus).

Spicebush swallowtail caterpillars usually are found in leaf folds of spicebushes and sassafras trees during the daytime and come out to feed at night. The decorative false eyes seem to serve as a deterrent to predators.







9 comments:

Carla said...

Very cool! I love their 'eyes'. I wouldn't eat one either.

Genny said...

It's so beautiful! Your close ups are great!

Farm Girl said...

That is amazing, I have never seen one of those before. It is a pretty yellow color. My husband looked over when I was reading your blog and asked " Is that a toy?"
Nice picture.

Chai Chai said...

Great picture, aren't God's creatures amazing?

Terry said...

I've never seen one of those. It doesn't look real. How neat!

Michele said...

It looks like a child's blow up pool toy. Thanks for sharing. I would avoid those eyes too if I were a bird.

Knatolee said...

That is the coolest caterpillar I have ever seen!! It's like a little cartoon character. Amazing!

Country Girl said...

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!! I wouldn't want to come across one of those at night time!!

Robin said...

OH MY GOODNESS! Haha, I thought I was seeing a fake picture at first until I realized it was real. That is so neat looking. It reminds me of something tropical looking.