skip to main content

Dying Swallowtail Caterpillar

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Swallowtails · More Info

Can someone please help me to figure out what may have happened with this little caterpillar? I have raised dozens of swallowtails and I have had this one since the beginning as he came in on some parsley I harvested. Since he was so tiny I didn't put him back outside because there were about 6 others who were full-sized. So I kept him on the parsley, grown by me and untreated. He did all his molting and was nearly ready to form a chrysalis. Last night before bed I checked on him and he was eagerly munching away on the parsley but when I got up this morning his whole back end was shriveled, gray and looked wet. I have included a picture. I would really like to know "what" happened so that if possible, I may prevent this from happening again.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

PRO
The Logician LLC
8 years ago
May be related to the so-called "black death" described in an old Butterfly Forum FAQ:

http://faq.gardenweb.com/discussions/2765899/why-does-a-monarch-caterpillar-or-chrysalis-turn-black
angelikatt65
Original Author
8 years ago
Quite an interesting article and thank you, but in my case I think I have a different story as follows...

UPDATE:

I no longer need an answer to the question posted BUT I want to let everyone know what I discovered regarding the death of this caterpillar. Upon checking on him last night after work I discovered a small tan spider atop the caterpillar, obviously drinking it's blood whilst it was still alive.

The puncture of the bite followed by the spider venom is probably what caused the shriveling and blackening of its body.

I know it's "nature" but it was a horrific scene as I raise swallowtails out of fondness for them. It was very sad indeed...
Related Discussions
Raising Zebra Swallowtail Caterpillars
Q
Comments (92)
Hi Everyone, I'm a scientist working on butterflies, and I'm trying to get ahold of a Zebra Swallowtail for some genetic analysis (I live in New Jersey). This seemed like a good thread to inquire if anyone living in the southern US might be able and willing to collect (or already has) one of these butterflies they might be able to spare? Full disclosure, sadly the specimen would need to be sacrificed for DNA extraction. However, the knowledge we'll gain from this will be invaluable to the scientific community. If you have any thoughts/suggestions/leads on this, please contact me (maardema@gmail.com). Thanks!
...See More
Black Swallowtail Caterpillar
Q
Comments (2)
I try to be! Lol... sometimes I tell myself to just let Mother Nature take care of it... but then I can't do it
...See More
Swallowtail Caterpillar Fatality Diagnosis
Q
Comments (6)
Okay here we go again! This time it is a Monarch caterpillar - this is SO devastating and here again, I just saw him the day before getting ready to head off to make a chrysalis.... AND now I am almost certain it is a spider. When I went out this morning, after a rainy night I was dumbfounded over the amass of cobwebs that had formed in a day. In some cases they were all over the milkweed. I was using a stick to removed as much of the cobwebs as I could and found this little Monarch caterpillar motionless on a leaf near the bottom. He looks like something sucked out his innards from the waist down... AND on a close up I can see a strand of webbing on his front "true feet" That can't be from him because Monarchs attach from the bottom only. There was a baby nearby SO I brought him in on his own little milkweed sprig.
...See More
So Excited - Giant Swallowtail Caterpillar!
Q
Comments (57)
If they are the tropical yellow flowering "butterfly weed", it may take some time. From my experience the Monarchs only use these as last resort. If your concerned about pesticides, they probably didn't use a systemic, so just water wash the plants really well and they should be ok. Also, if you've placed your pots in a new spot, it may just take time for them to find them. Anna
...See More
Pamela Veenstra
8 years ago
I can relate. I love these flutterbyes so much that when I find them in my garden I let them eat the parsley (usually going to seed by this time)

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Entice Eastern Tiger Swallowtails With Summer Flowers

By Pollination Press LLC

Grow nectar-rich native bloomers and larval host plants for these endearing butterflies

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Plants That Beat Butterfly Bush for the Wildlife Draw

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

It's invasive, a nonnative and a poor insect magnet. Check out these better alternatives to butterfly bush in the garden

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Garden for Wildlife to Reap Rich Rewards

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

When you plant with animals and insects in mind, you make gardening easier, the planet healthier and yourself more present

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Native Shrubs for Year-Round Bird Feeding

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

It’s not just about berries. These plants provide insects for birds and seasonal interest for gardeners

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES 7 Native Wildflowers to Make You an Awesome Butterfly Host

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Offer the leaves of these and you’ll get more butterflies than with flower nectar alone

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Lindera Benzoin Offers 3-Season Interest

By Curtis Adams

Support wildlife and enjoy the aromatic leaves of this U.S. native also known as spicebush, Benjamin bush and spicewood

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Asclepias Incarnata for a Butterfly Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Beautiful swamp milkweed makes it easy to help monarchs and other pollinators in eastern U.S. gardens

GARDENING GUIDES How I Learned to Be an Imperfect Gardener

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Letting go can lead to a deeper level of gardening and a richer relationship with the landscape. Here's how one nature lover did it

PLANTING IDEAS Want a More Colorful, Natural Garden? Try a Perennial Meadow

Spend less time tending and more time taking in the sights by improving on Victorian and prairie garden designs

DECORATING STYLES Gypsy in Your Soul: 10 Steps to a Bohemian Bedroom

If your inner boho is clamoring to be released, feed your fantasies in a gorgeously unconventional bedroom

Sponsored

More Discussions

Can anyone confirm these are mealybugs?

4

Need help identifying this beetle

2

Need help IDing this moth

3

What mosquitoe is this?

1