The polydamas swallowtail has been busy laying clusters of eggs on our Dutchman pipe: one of two I found just today. The eggs are about 1 mm in diameter and will look greenish as they mature, ready to hatch, which takes up to six days. According to the University of Florida, the eggs are covered by a “hard, nutritious secretion,” which are laid in vertical bands.

The larger polydamas caterpillars in our butterfly house have been crawling around finding the perfect place to make its chrysalis. This one did not like me getting close, as its osmeterium shot out when I neared. According to the University of Florida, the osmeteria, located on the anterior of the prothorax, is bright orange, and used as defense.