Subject: ID for weird Wrath of Khan caterpiller
Location: Sonoran Desert uplands, Superior, Arizona
March 6, 2013 4:21 pm
I found this at Boyce-Thompson Arboretum in Superior Mountains in Arizona. This is harsh, no water, no live, desert. The arboretum is an oasis of supreme beauty and peace.
As I am desert rat, It was midsummer, midday, when this picture was taken.
Unfortunately I have only this one photo from this angle.
Thanks!
And thanks for going mobile!
Signature: srcbennett
Dear srcbennett,
We are happy to get some positive feedback on our new mobile friendly upgrades. There was some initial rockiness with the transition. Your caterpillar is a Pipevine Swallowtail Caterpillar, Battus philenor, and they feed upon Pipevine and other plants plants in the genus Aristolochia. According to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Digital Library website, a native species to the area is Aristolochia watsonii. The adult Pipevine Swallowtail is a beautiful blue butterfly.