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Is our black swallowtail caterpillar dead?

by Rebecca
(Michigan)

Our black swallowtail caterpillar crawled to the top of it's container, attached itself to the top and has been hanging there for 2 days. Actually, this will be day 3. I'm wondering if it's dead. Do they hang that long before pupating?

Karen says:
If it is attached normally with a "thread" around its middle it might still pupate. My last black swallowtail caterpillars took a few days to shed their skin and pupate.

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Is our black swallowtail caterpillar dead?

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Love this site!
by: NurseJan

I found a lovely green caterpillar on our parsley last night before a big rain storm and brought it inside. I call all my "caterpiggles" Katy. I put her in a jar with some parsley and dill but she seemed to be searching for something else and wouldn't eat. Also seemed a bit sluggish though she's fat and healthy looking. So I went out in the pouring rain and snipped off a tree twig.
This morning she had attached to it with her head and tail. I researched to find out what she would turn into and think she's a black swallowtail. Two years ago I reared a great swallowtail successfully but with that Katy took a couple of months in the chrysalis and I was sure she was dead!
My question is how do I know if she's just going to molt or if she's ready to morph? Do I need to put fresh herbs in the bowl and keep it covered (she escaped last night, found her in the sink)? Thanks so much for helping us beginners out!

Karen says:
Glad you are enjoying the website! It it is a black swallowtail, you can feed it parsley (just cut off the stems a little and put in a narrow vase). If it isn't interested in eating then it is probably ready for the chrysalis stage. Find a stick or container with a netting on top for it to attach to - you will have to keep an eye on it or put in a cage because they tend to wander at this stage (I have found chrysalis at various places in my house :) Good luck and I hope you get to see the actual changes from one stage to the next.....it is amazing!!
spoke too soon
by: Rebecca

So this morning we checked on him and he had pupated overnight! He was attached with thread at his head and tail - not in the middle and hung there for a full 3 days. The kids are all excited cuz we swore he had to be dead.

Our next question is: will he be emerging yet this fall or staying in the chrysalis until spring? It's getting cold here in Michigan, and the butterfly flowers are about done for the season.

Karen says:
My guess is that they will overwinter. You can put them in your garage for the winter until it warms up in late spring.

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