I know what the host plant is but who are the guests?
Yesterday afternoon, I counted at least seven of these guys. They looked suspiciously like bird poop but a closer look told me otherwise.
The plants are a couple of large potted grapefruit trees. They have dined on the leaves and I'm guessing they are pupating?
Giant swallowtail looks like poop, lives in your area, and likes citrus. So that would be my first guess. But there are some other poopy ones, too.
That is the Giant Swallowtail Butterfly caterpillar. Hopefully you will allow them to stay, they are a beautiful butterfly. Here is the picture of the "comma" stage; see the fine thread they fashion to hold themselves.
They form the chrysalis after about two weeks of eating. This is how it will look. Also it may not stay on the tree, often they roam and select a new spot.
But after another two weeks (estm) they will emerge as a georgeous butterfly.
They come out early in the morning and hang to dry their wings. They aren't very active for the first few hours. Hope you get to see and experience it.
How could I not allow them to stay. I was tired of the monster grapefruit trees (potted) and was about to toss them when I learned on DG what they were good for. I knew the leaves got eaten but never knew by whom.
I watched a few earlier this summer that had devoured the fennel. I never saw where they went but found them the morning they were drying their wings. They were on the Salvia leucantha plant. I put two little kitties in the house to allow the butterflies to take to the air at their leisure.
Tonight I checked on these guys and found them busily munching the grapefruit leaves. All is well. Thanks too for the ID.
Is it not too late in season for this?
Earlier ones on the fennel were the Black Swallowtails I imagine.
As for the season, I had GST cats up here until about last week in September and they made their chrysalis. I had the last one emerge about a week ago. The BST will over winter (in chrysalis form) in warmer areas also, not sure if the GST do, but I bet they will.
This message was edited Oct 20, 2009 10:33 PM
Sheila ~ I admire your passion for these winged beauties and appreciate you sharing your knowledge with us novices.
...and Thank You both for the ID!!!
You are welcome...but just an excited novice here, no expert.
Here's another view for you, just eclosed last week.
Isn't that beautiful... these "bird poop" cats are still dining on grapefruit tree leaves. I keep doing a head count and they are fine & feasting.
