Caterpillar and Butterfly

Both appearred in our yard recently.

Parsley Caterpillar ( Black Swallowtail)

Young caterpillars are black with a white saddle, later becoming smooth and green with black bands and yellow spots, growing to approx 2 inches. It has an orange osmeterium. Bad tasting to predators as it absorbs toxins from the foodplant. It eats Queen Anne's lace, carrot, parsley and dill. It overwinters as a chrysalis. It is found in southern Canada and throughout the eastern United States, as well as the south-western states and Mexico.



Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis) Butterfly

This butterfly has a very appropriate name. If you look closely on the underside of the hindwing (the butterfly often accommodates nicely by sitting with its wings closed) you will spot a comma shape with a dot at the bottom resembling a question mark (there is a smaller version called a "comma" butterfly). It frequents woodlands but can be found in city parks, suburbs, and roadsides. It overwinters as an adult in hollow logs and trees and under loose bark. You might spot a question mark soaring on a warm winter?s day before returning to its wintering site. Unlike most butterflies that sip nectar from flowers, this butterfly tends to sip sap, rotting fruit, and dung. Its host plants are varied and may include American elm, hackberry, and false nettle.

Question Mark Caterpillar

Highly variable, ranging from blackish to red and pinkish brown, abundantly dappled with minute whitish spotting. Dorsal scoli of second thoracic segment often darker than those that follow. Undulating subspiracular stripe variously developed, occasionally broken into oblique pale lines. Faint stripe above spiracle running through scoli which are darkened relative to those above or below. Abdominal spiracles black ringed with white. Food: especially elms, hackberries, but also hops and nettles. Caterpillar: May to November; up to 4 generations in South; 2 in North.