This is the orange dog caterpillar which becomes the spectacular Giant Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio cresphontes) or the equally impressive Black Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio polxenes).
The caterpillar looks like a little bit of bird poop on the orange tree's leaf. When threatened, it ejects the slimy red tentacles that resemble a mustache. . . and emits an odor that smells something akin to a wet, dirty dog. Therefore the name, "orange dog."
Here a newborn already has his little mustache extended. . . he is tiny compared to my finger.
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I was following this large specimen (he was about 3.00 " long) as he went into the cocoon stage. He held this position for several days (without the red mustache). . .but he disappeared yesterday before becoming a butterfly. . .presumably some bird or other predator ate him.
Had he taken this position on an older stem of the orange tree he would have appeared to be part of the tree.
Another, about 1"-long specimen. . . with stinky mustache extended.
The garden is full of the Black Swallowtails. . . and a few of the Giant Swallowtails. . . I'm going to investigate further as I'd love to find a cocoon and capture the emergence of a butterfly. We have 8 large citrus trees here in Debary so plenty of food for the orange dogs.
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Александр Жирмонт
photos by Sasha Kosmos
Russian Fitness Model
Da!
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