They are almost 2" long, a pale green with black and yellow rings around them.
They are pretty well protected from predators, since they taste toxic. They also have an orange forked tongue that'll come out & release a foul smell to protect themselves when threatened.
Approximately a week after appearing on our parsley, they'll form the chrysallis that will open around 9 days later, Black Swallowtail Butterfly, emerging.
Their bodies are black with a neon blue area nearest their tails.
It is amazing how fast this catepillar to butterfly journey for them is.
You can't help but enjoy them in a Garden.
There are dozens of 'host' plants that these catepillars are attracted to. They will eat them down to the ground, without killing them. Your plants will recover.
Here is a partial list of host plants for your own Garden:
basil, carrot tops, fennel, dill, hibiscus, lavendar, mint, parsley, passion vine, Queen Ann's Lace (related to carrots, passion vine).
I've observed this list as effective and annually visited by these little guys over the years, here in Atlanta. Certainly, there are more plants they would forage, too.
*** If you are tempted to bring them indoors to observe their evolution, keep them contained in a lidded something, with air circulation, a perch and a food source. It would be awful to remove them from their natural environment and then miss the opening of the chrysallis. ***
Butterflies play an important part in our natural world. Their presence indicates a healthy system. Of the many things they do, pollination of our plants is a huge part. Without pollination, our fruits and vegetables would not bear their bounty.
Respect and enjoy them.
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