hey all. these gals were/are on my spice bush and have started their cocoons the big green gal went from about an inch to 2" in 4 days ! the browner dudes..are they the same species but just the opposite sex or are they 2 different species ? either way, taking their pics has been a BLAST. i swear they're posing.....and the colors are amazing !!
thanks
mary ann
top view
i named 'her' Glenda, like the good witch on the wizard of Oz.
her pic in the shade. the colors are awesome !!
here's the smaller brown one. watching them eat is hysterical. those 'lips' stretch and swing from side to side chomping on the leaf.
another view
here's a pic a that mouth going a mile a minute...
platypus nose...
ya just gotta smile....
looks like an elephant hawk moth cat
Great pictures! I think they're Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillars, Papilio troilus
edit: sorry, removed wrong link - how did that hapen???
This message was edited Dec 20, 2009 3:35 PM
They use their giant eyes to scare away predators. Great picture of Glenda and the family....grin
I came across this thread....right ID on that caterpillar, wrong link for info.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/94/
They ARE cool to watch! Cute as can be...I have Spicebush plants also and have had those caterpillars. I've seen the butterflies laying the eggs on the leaves. The darker ones are just smaller caterpillars.
