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black swallowtail caterpillar....on asparagus?

Posted: Fri May 28, 2021 12:13 am
by JRinPA
Has anyone ever seen these on asparagus before?

I wonder if the storm the other day blew this caterpillar across the yard. That storm led with a few minutes of 50mph gusts, then a quick 1" of rain. I believe it is a 1st instar black swallowtail. The day before, there were dozens on the overwintered parsnips, 30 feet upwind. I took it back outside and brushed it onto the parsnip where it belongs. But I'm wondering if there will be more on the asparagus?


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Re: black swallowtail caterpillar....on asparagus?

Posted: Fri May 28, 2021 5:57 am
by PlainJane
Haven’t seen that before. I think your theory about the free wind ride is probably correct.

Re: black swallowtail caterpillar....on asparagus?

Posted: Fri May 28, 2021 7:31 am
by MissS
It could have been blown over or sometimes a female has so much ova that when she first starts laying she just drops it wherever she lands. Whichever you probably saved this ones life.

Re: black swallowtail caterpillar....on asparagus?

Posted: Fri May 28, 2021 1:10 pm
by Amateurinawe
I wouldn't worry about finding any more, i'd only worry if you find half a one on the asparagus on your plate...

Re: black swallowtail caterpillar....on asparagus?

Posted: Fri May 28, 2021 1:47 pm
by MissS
Amateurinawe wrote: Fri May 28, 2021 1:10 pm I wouldn't worry about finding any more, i'd only worry if you find half a one on the asparagus on your plate...
I just love your point of view!