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Caterpillar of Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)

(light form)

The caterpillars of pipevine swallowtail can exist in two forms, a reddish light colored form and a nearly black dark form. The variation is thought to be a product of how much sun the caterpillars are exposed to. Bright light makes them turn red and if they are in the shade, they will become dark. Incidentally, this caterpillar is eating a non-native species of pipevine (Aristolochia fimbriata ), which is a native of Argentina, but grows well here at the gardens.

For butterfly see Pipevine Swallowtail page | Go to Butterfly Main Page