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larose forest photos | all galleries >> INSECTS (INSECTA) (28 Galleries) >> Butterflies (Lepidoptera) (8 Galleries) >> Butterfly Larvae and Pupae > Black swallowtail larva (Papillio polyxenes) on wild parsnip
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01-AUG-2012 Christine Hanrahan

Black swallowtail larva (Papillio polyxenes) on wild parsnip

This large caterpillar was on wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa), a favourite host plant of the black swallowtail. The orange "horns" are the scent glands which pop out from the forehead when alarmed. This pretty caterpillar will transform into a stunning butterfly!

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
1/320s f/3.5 at 5.0mm iso100 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time01-Aug-2012 09:20:14
MakeCanon
ModelCanon PowerShot SX20 IS
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length5 mm
Exposure Time1/323 sec
Aperturef/3.5
ISO Equivalent100
Exposure Bias
White Balance
Metering Mode
JPEG Quality
Exposure Program
Focus Distance0.110 m

other sizes: small medium large original auto
Fay Stout28-Jan-2018 14:25
I do love these caterpillars with their stinky horns! Last year they loved my parsley. I told my grandchildren about their defense mechanism to show their horns when threatened. Ever so gently they would tap on the back of the caterpillar and the horns would go up and they would giggle and laugh! Isn't nature wonderful!!! V
CatherineSimard22-Jan-2013 23:34
Beautiful specimen Christine! Do you share your tips at finding these :)
J S Quesada01-Sep-2012 19:20
Impressive macro. Fantastic colors and details. V
Karen Stuebing01-Aug-2012 22:01
They're as pretty as caterpillars as they are as butterflies. Stunning close up. V.
Colin Storey01-Aug-2012 19:44
Fantastic close up with superb details. v
Terry Sprague01-Aug-2012 19:37
Stunning macro! Love this caterpillar!
Jim Coffman01-Aug-2012 19:26
Wow, so cool!!
John Reynolds LRPS01-Aug-2012 18:47
Not the prettiest creature but a fascinating view of it!!
MarcViskens01-Aug-2012 18:01
excellent Christine
Marc
Guest 01-Aug-2012 17:51
Spectacular macro shot!
Raymond01-Aug-2012 16:42
A gorgeous macro, beautiful.
joseantonio01-Aug-2012 16:34
You have done a wonderful job here with this capture....V
Mary Bowles01-Aug-2012 16:20
What a beauty., fat and roly poly in his striped night shirt., waiting for changeling day.
Be sure to post a picture of his glorious day-wear after changing.
(Ain't Nature wonderful?)
Margot W01-Aug-2012 16:09
Makes me think of the caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland with all those rolls..
Magnificent close up Christine.
Guest 01-Aug-2012 15:38
Beautiful closeup...and this fat layered yellow and black spotted critter will one day be a gorgeous butterfly. What a metamorphis!
globalgadabout01-Aug-2012 15:37
gorgeous specimen..apparently alarmed at this very moment...perhaps it is having it's first encounter with a photo-cyclops.. :)
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