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Dying Swallowtail Caterpillar

11 years ago

last modified: 11 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.

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Comments (3)

PRO
User
11 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
11 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...
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Pamela Veenstra
11 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)

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