I have been rearing caterpillars for the past three years. This is a collection of my favorite moments during their transformation.

Monarch Caterpillars (Early Instar)

Monarch Caterpillars

Host: Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

Spicebush Swallowtail

The caterpillar looks like a bird dropping at this stage.

Host: Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)

Spicebush Swallowtail

Host: Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)

Evolutionary Cousins

Black Swallowtail (Left)

Spicebush Swallowtail (Right)

Eruciform

Spicebush Swallowtail (Left)

Black Swallowtail (Bottom center)

Monarch chrysalides (Right)

All Grown Up

Final instars of Black and Spicebush Swallowtail

Eclosion

Black Swallowtail Hatchlings

Tiny bird droppings

Host: Rue (Ruta graveolens)

Black Swallowtail Caterpillars

Host: Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

Green Glutton

Host: Carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus)

Big Cat, Small Cat

Host: Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

Transparency

Side by side comparison of final instar Black Swallowtail caterpillar and pre-emergent butterfly

Life Cycle

Simultaneous stages of the Black Swallowtail side by side

Reincarnation

Chrysalides

Monarch (Left)

Black Swallowtail (Right)

Emergence

Female Black Swallowtail