I didn't know what these were, but they are on my fennel, with my two rescued SWT cats, so I thought I would check with you guys...
Sorry, the image isn't great.....
Good or Bad Cat?
They are baby Black Swallowtails! They are just in their early instars and look different. It's hard to keep track unless you actually watch them or memorize the size and color, which I don't, but it's probably their 2nd instar. Within the week they will be more recognizable to you. You are going to need a lot of fennel! :) Speaking of, I need to find me some this weekend.
I was just looking thru some pics for another thread and thought I'd show them to you too. Here is a Black Swallowtail, either 2nd or 3rd instar, and it looks totally different than it will.
The date on that pic is 4-16 and this one is 4-24. Lots of color changing in this instar.
wow... I just never saw them like that.... I wonder if I'll be able to find some more fennel this late in the season.... yikes!
What I do when planting butterfly host plants (parsley, fennel, dill) that I too would like to be able to use - lol - is to plant much, much more than I'll actually need.
Then I'll actually transfer caterpillars to the plants I've designated for them & let them have at it. Yes, it's a pain, but it allows both me & the wildlife to enjoy the harvest.
BST's do not know how to tell when it's time to stop laying! I've had them lay really late in the season, so don't be surprised.
Next year I will be smarter and plant more fennel. They're cheap, and I love the SWTs. I had some earlier in the year, but for some stupid reason thought they were done!