Caterpillars from Costa Rica
Location: about 30 km north of San Ramon at a rural area with an elevation of 700m
March 28, 2011 8:24 pm
These guys were growing on a citrus tree leaf (pic 1). They changed their appearance quit dramatically after a few days (pic 2), and then left the leaf and disappeared.
Thanks
Signature: Hagit
Dear Hagit,
We don’t recognize your caterpillars and we plan to try to begin researching this tomorrow. We are contacting Keith Wolfe to see if he recognizes this species. Thanks for sending two different instar photos. We believe they are Brush Footed Butterfly Caterpillars in the family Nymphalidae.
Hi Hagit and Daniel,
As earlier from Mexico . . .
2010/11/08/unknown-caterpillar-aggregation-from-mexico/
. . . these Costa Rican caterpillars are Papilio anchisiades (or a very close relative). This abundant and widespread swallowtail is commonly found in areas disturbed by human activities.
Best wishes,
Keith
Thank you Keith,
These butterflies are indeed abundant and widespread where I shot the pictures. A place which is sadly very much disturbed by human activities.
Hi Hagit,
Thanks for sending us your beautiful photo of the adult Ruby Spotted Swallowtail to accompany the caterpillar images you sent earlier.