The polydamas swallowtail caterpillars are among the coolest to watch through its lifecycle. The population quickly explodes as the butterfly lays clusters of eggs.

They start off eating their meals together on the same leaf, before exploring on their own as they grow through their instars.

My birthwort, one of their host plants, was extremely bushy and lush looking a few weeks ago. Not so much anymore.

They are beginning to hit their ideal size . . . With the garden planted right outside my front door, you have to watch where youre walking as they are roaming everywhere to find that perfect final destination for their chrysalsis.

This morning I worked in the garden for a while and was rewarded with finding quite a few polydamas swallowtail in the beginning stages of creating their chrysalis.