Caterpiller ID?

[Dave Mills]

Shot this today in my backyard after I saw it sitting on a plant munching away.
Anyone know the type?
Nikon D300,200mm macro,twin flash,iso 400,F22.1/60,O comp,tripod mtd

[Julie Brown]

Hi Dave. It looks like a Black Swallowtail. What kind of plant did you see it on? Their host plants are in the carrot/parsely family. Dill and fennel for example. I have a couple of these guys on my carrot plants right now. BTW, that orange thing at its head is called an osmeterium. It is a defensive structure, and can emit a nasty-smelling chemical.

[Ken Childs]

Great colors and comp. You might try shooting these with a standard flash and a bounce card so you get better lighting on the back of the bug

I also think it's a Black Swallowtail. If you're quick on the draw, poke at it with a stick to get it to fully extend the osmetria and then snap a quick shot. They are used as a defense mechanism so when you disturb one, they extend the osmetria and then arch their body backwards to try and stink up the attacker.

http://www.finishflagfarms.com/other/kens_pics/butterflies2/slides/PASW-Black_Swallowtail080-IMG_1572.html

[Paul Lagasi]

I'll leave the ID'ing ot the others...Dave this is a great looking caterpillar..colors & pattern are neat. If I ever see one I am going to try the stick idea. Thanks

[Dave Mills]

Hi Julie,BINGO...found him on a dill plant my wife recently planted. Thanks for the info...I knew I could get it here.
I put him on a lavendar branch and he seemed happy sitting on it while I shot him. To get him to face my way I gently rubbed the side in my direction so his head pointed there. When I touched his head the ost.... came out and I wanted a shot with that sticking out. The best example is what I posted.
He is now back on the dill plant and seems happy......

[Mike Moats]

Hey Dave, cool critter, like the diagonal line of the perch. Great colors.

[Allen Sparks]

Love the tones and texture of the caterpillar you caught. I have a bunch of parsley on my back deck waiting for just such a critter.

[Don Lacy]

Hi Dave, great HA on the little guy know you just need to get him when he emerges as a Swallowtail.

[Julie Kenward]

Beautiful caterpillar Dave! You really got in close on this one! The only thing I see that might improve on this already wonderful image is a slight adjustment to the head area so it is as bright as the rest of the insect. It feels just a tad bit darker up there because of the tickle you gave him. ;)

[OvidiuCavasdan]

Nice found, sharp and beautiful colors. Like the composition and the dark BG. Very nice image!

[Valerio Tarone]

Hi David it's a caterpillar of the swallowtail (Papilio Macaon) source: readers digest Nature lovers, in my library.
like the pose, details, colors.

[Ken Childs]

Hi David it's a caterpillar of the swallowtail (Papilio Macaon) source: readers digest Nature lovers, in my library.
like the pose, details, colors.
The caterpillars of Old World, Anise and Black Swallowtails are all very similar but since Dave took this shot in NJ, it's probably a Black Swallowtail. The other 2 are western species.

[Dave Mills]

Thanks folks! appreciate the comments and information..

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Dave,
So much cool info on the thread! I agree you may lighten it some on the face and the bounce on the back was a good idea by Ken.....looks like you will have a few more shots at this!

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Neat Dave and good suggestion by Ken. They are amazing to watch when they emerge. They let their wings dry off and then it is off they go.

[Charles Wesley]

Dave ,

This is a very nice photo of a Black Swallowtail. Looks exactly like the photo of an Anise Swallowtail in my book " The Audubon Society: Field Guide to N. American Butterflies but you live in NJ as Ken pointed out. I have two varieties of milkweed here in Florida looking for Monarchs. Unfortunately, my birdfeeder must be to close. Lost another catepillar last week. Boy I'm ticked.

Once again like your photo. Think the BG sets it off...
_______________________
Charlie Wesley
St. Augustine Beach, FL
http://naturesphotographs.com

[Ken Childs]

I have two varieties of milkweed here in Florida looking for Monarchs. Unfortunately, my birdfeeder must be to close. Lost another catepillar last week. Boy I'm ticked.
Charlie, Did you see them get eaten? Because they eat milkweed, Monarchs are poisonous so birds don't usually eat them. If the last time you saw a caterpillar it was relatively large, it's probably off somewhere in a chrysalis.

[Charles Wesley]

Ken,

Of Course you're correct. My bad. Found another monarch about 1/2 inch long eating away. Can't find original catepillar anywhere. I assumed he would build his pupa on the host plant.

Thanks so much. Where should I look?
____________________
Charlie Wesley
St Augustine Beach, FL

[Ken Childs]

The caterpillars usually scatter and it can be really hard to find the chrysalis. If you want to keep an eye on one, grab a relatively large caterpillar, put in it a container with some sticks and some milkweed leaves and it won't be long before it starts to change. Once the chrysalis forms, put the stick in a shady spot and check it every morning.

I grow fennel for the Black Swallowtails and even though I've seen at least 500 caterpillars over the years, I've only found 5 chrysalides and 3 of those happened to be on the host plant. Most disappear off into the undergrowth before they form their chrysalis.

[Charles Wesley]

Ken,

Thanks for the information. Did not know the statistics were so stacked against me. Understand what you're saying. Must get much more observant...
____________________
Charlie Wesley
St Augustine Beach, FL