This beauty left eggs behind when she visited Sunday. Look for them, and baby caterpillars, on the parsley, dill, and fennel.
Update: Almost certainly a black Eastern swallowtail. According to this source, egg stage lasts 4 to 9 days… Should we rescue and raise one of these guys?
The parsley in the standing bed outside the play area is filled with feasting caterpillars. They arent Monarchs, look like swallowtails or painted ladies.
Caterpillar spotted this evening on the dill. Probably an early stage swallowtail larva?
Compare to this one from a couple of seasons ago and share thoughts!
–Denise
Look in the upper lefthand corner–I think it’s an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail!
Such excitement this afternoon! I spotted this butterfly around 1230pm Friday afternoon, while I was walking from the play area toward Adams Street. My smartphone photos aren’t great, but upon inspection, I think this is an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. Thoughts?
As we’ve seen firsthand, these and other butterflies like to lay eggs on host plants like our carrot, fennel, and dill so the newly hatched caterpillars have food to eat. (Before they start their transformation into pupae/ crysalis. )
I’m so happy to see all the growth in the garden, and the results of some of the Joe Pye, Goldenrod, Aster and other butterfly nectar and butterfly host plants we’ve planted. I hope to be able to label them all (along with images of the butterflies they support) in time for the garden fundraiser party on June 21st. –Denise
The butterfly isn’t squashed, she’s just got her wings extended in flight over the sidewalk behind 215 Adams.
I spotted this beauty on Saturday, sent around a picture and Ansley ,emailing from France, id’d it as an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.
Isn’t she pretty?
-Denise
