If the cat isn't very big, then it's probably in between instars - after it molts it will resume eating. What color is the cat? Tigers sport several different looks through their larval life - brown with a white saddle (like a BST) green with a cream colored saddle, and green. Tiger swallowtail cats are even more lethargic than giant swallowtails, so don't expect any monarch or gulf frit type of action. I usually put the host plant leaf in its water pick real close to where the cat is spending its between instar time, just to be sure it knows it's there - I've seen them go round and round the cage looking for their host plant leaf in plain sight! Tigers turn brown before pupating.
American ladies are more active than tigers and go through their instars much quicker. They make a pretty caterpillar!
MissSherry

Thank you MissSherry! The cat is green--there's no saddle, I think. Just has the two small eye spots. Just so cool looking! It does seem kind of small, but I've never seen one in the flesh--only photos, and they always look pretty big. It's in a small cage right now, and the plant is right below it. Thanks for the clue about it turning brown.

The ALs are pretty--I was excited to find them; I saw that I had some Pearly Everlasting frowing in an area that we stopped mowing and have been checking ever since, usually without finding anything.

Thanks again!

Good morning! Now my little friend is on the side of the cage, attaching himself there. Sure hope that's not where he wants to pupate! Yesterday, he hung out on the ceiling; in the evening, he was chomping on a leaf.

I'm getting a good view of his face which he usually keeps tucked away from me. Just so darned cute. Even DH thought he was amazing.

They are cute!
I released another black female this morning, and she flew right over to a beautybush. There are several males nectaring in my garden now - I hope they find each other!
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MissSherry

Very pretty MissSherry! I also love that BeautyBush--the berries are very attractive. Do you think this cat will overwinter up here? My books aren't very helpful. The BSTs I raised a couple of years ago overwintered.

Also, what about American Painted Ladies. I ended up bringing one in to observe, etc. Do they overwinter?

Thank you for all of your help!

I don't know the answer to either of your questions, bernergrrl. Obviously the chances are much greater that your cat will overwinter than any I'm raising now, but I've never overwintered any myself, so I don't really know when they do it here. This black female was one of two that I found on the same wild black cherry tree that I raised together, and the other chrysalid hasn't emerged yet. It may overwinter - sometimes, chrysalids overwinter from chrysalids formed much earlier in the year than you'd think. I'm raising 4 more cats right now, 2 late instars, 2 mid-instars - I'll keep you posted as to who overwinters and who emerges.
I've never overwintered an American lady. What always happens is, ALs are one of the first if not the first caterpillars I find in the spring. Cudweed, their host plant, dies back in late May or early June, and I don't see any more until early the next spring. They must breed their way north in the spring/summer, then back south in the fall/early winter - I wish I had more information about this, but none of my books addresses it.
MissSherry