Category Archives: polydamas caterpillar

The babies have returned

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I spotted at least a dozen of the polydamas swallowtail caterpillars on my Dutchman pipe this morning.

These are among my favorites as they eat in clusters when they are younger, only devouring the youngest leaves. Often times when you walk in the garden you see leaves falling, as they chomp away on certain parts, letting the rest fall to the ground.

The female butterfly will lay anywhere between 10 to 14 yellow, to orange eggs in clusters, typically on newly developed stems, or growing tips of its host plant. The caterpillars go through four instars, anywhere from 19 to 24 days, before they are ready to form its chrysalis. The colors of the caterpillars are a bit different during the first instar, with tan and small tubercles. Once the caterpillar molts into the second instar, they become dark brown with larger tubercles.

The polydamas caterpillar

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It never fails, as soon as my Dutchman Pipe slowly grows back, the polydamas swallowtail caterpillars return. I spotted at least six this morning. The caterpillar will grow to approximately 5.3 centimeters before creating its chrysalis. It’s fun to watch these guys grow as they change in texture – from a rough textured appearance to more of a smooth texture – and can change in color ranging from dark brown to light tan.

Rest after molting

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The polydamas, also known as the gold rim swallowtail, tailless swallowtail and scientific name Battus polydamas lucayus, lays its eggs on the Dutchman pipe. The three Dutchman pipe plants have tons of caterpillars once again.

The caterpillar will go through four instars, 19 to 24 days, before it’s ready to form its chrysalis. The caterpillars are mostly dark purple brown with orange tubercles, but can come in a lighter version as well. They have a black head, prothorax top is orange and short dark stripes.Each time it molts its skin, the caterpillar will consume its exoskeleton to conserve the nutrients.

The polydamas swallowtail caterpillars feed in groups when they are small, devouring the youngest leaves, as well as flowers before moving onto the older portions of the Dutchman pipe. The caterpillars grow up to 2.1″ in length. Caterpillars can be found throughout the year in southern Florida.

Molting

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A few of the polydamas swallowtail caterpillars were in their molting process on the Dutchman pipe this morning. They will most likely consume their exoskeleton to conserve its nutrients.

These guys will grow up to 2.1″ in length and typically take 19 to 24 days to go through their four instars. There are definitely a few that are nearing that final stage before chrysalis.