Tag Archives: Polydamas caterpillars

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I had a huge influx of polydamas swallowtail caterpillars last month on my birthwort and Dutchman pipevine plants, their host plants.

The polydamas swallowtail lay their eggs in clusters, so the population can grow pretty quickly.

The polydamas lays yellow to orange eggs in clusters of 10 to 14, which can typically be spotted on newly developed stems, or growing tips. The butterfly tends to lay its eggs on the tips that are in sunny areas, although the caterpillars have a higher survival rate in the shade.

As they grew in size they all started to disappear in the garden, and yes on the side of the house, to make their chrysalis.

Polydamas swallowtail on a coontie plant.

I was excited to spot a newly emerged polydamas swallowtail butterfly tucked in my golden rod plant this morning.

It’s always fascinating to find where the chrysalis end up. Often times I don’t spot them until the butterflies have emerged.

One of my favorite things about this butterfly is the speed of the wings. They are constantly fluttering when sipping on nectar, or laying eggs. Here is a polydamas swallowtail enjoying nectar from my fire bush plant.

Polydamas galore

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The polydamas, “gold rim” swallowtail butterflies have had a phenomenal year in the butterfly garden so far this year.

There were a few days I didn’t have an opportunity to walk through the garden and by the third day, wow. My birthwort plant is crawling with a couple dozen polydamas caterpillars feasting away on its host plant.

It’s fun to watch these guys grow. When they are smaller they stay together in a pack, but eventually spread out as they get bigger.

Explosion

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The polydamas swallowtail population has exploded in the garden! The caterpillars are on the move, crawling everywhere in my front garden. Some on the sidewalk, others on the driveway, or the house. All of them have gone into my new butterfly house where they can create their chrysalis.

Many of the caterpillars have been their chrysalis in the Dutchman pipe plant. Itsbeen fun finding them. They blend in perfectly!

Baby caterpillars everywhere

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I found so many baby polydamas caterpillars in the garden this morning. Just briefly scanning the Dutchman pipe, I found four different clusters of caterpillars, which at this stage of its instar is incredibly common. They explore on their own when they get larger.

I now have three different Dutchman pipe plants thriving in the garden, all vining up an archway and across a rope meeting together. The abundance of large green leaves, I am sure will soon disappear as the caterpillars continue to grow.

Be sure to check my polydamas butterfly page for more information about the life cycle, which of course shows many photos from our gardens:
https://sweetbutterflybliss.com/polydamas-swallowtail-butterfly/

Just born

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A walk through the garden this morning revealed a lucky find of baby polydamas caterpillars just emerging from its eggs. Some were still eating the remains of the eggs. I love mornings like this, finding the miracles of nature in my own backyard.

The polydamas lays yellow to orange eggs in clusters of 10 to 14, which can typically be spotted on newly developed stems, or growing tips, of the Dutchman pipe. It takes four to six days to hatch. Once they emerge from their egg, they consume it before going onto the leaves of the plant.

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.

For more information, and additional photos, click on https://sweetbutterflybliss.com/polydamas-swallowtail-butterfly/?frame-nonce=e7c6cffbc2

A bonus find of a monarch caterpillar hiding in the Dutchman pipe, I am assuming getting ready to make its chrysalis.