This deserves to go on both blogs. I have no idea what this thing is. It was on my garage door yesterday evening. If anyone knows what this is, please post it in the comments.
UPDATE: The folks at the University of Kentucky Department of Entomology say it's a Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio Troilus) and pointed me to this page. This caterpillar is usually bright green but turns yellow for only a few days before it pupates. Its false eyespots and other markings help protect it by making it look like a small snake to predators (especially when it is green).
2 comments:
Jerry,
This is actually a Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar. You were lucky to get this photo because they are usually bright green. They turn yellow for just a few days before they pupate and make their chrysalis. I would guess that you have either spicebush or a sassafras tree near your house -- they tend not to wander too far. Your photos are great! Could you tell me what camera you used to shoot this?
Karissa Arnold
University of Kentucky
Department of Entomology
kaarno0@email.uky.edu
Wow that's bizarre looking.
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