Pipevine Swallowtail Caterpillar

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

Pipevine Swallowtail Caterpillar
Pipevine Swallowtail Caterpillar

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.

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