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swallowtail caterpillarsDo you know what this is?
My daughter found this caterpillar (I think) in our driveway this afternoon. It is about 1.5 inches long. I looked on several websites and couldn’t find anything exactly like it. Do you know the species of caterpillar (if that is what it is) this is?
Metropolis, IL (Southern)
Just curious
Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar
Dear Curious
Your photo depicts a Spicebush Swallowtail just prior to metamorphosis. Many typically green caterpillars change colors like brown or orange just before molting into the chrysalis or pupa stage. The false eyespots help protect the tasty caterpillar by fooling predators into thinking the caterpillar is much larger and possibly dangerous. They make the caterpillar look like a snake.
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