What does a pipevine swallowtail caterpillar turn into?

Like many insects, California pipevine swallowtails display complete metamorphosis: the egg, an active and hungry caterpillar stage, a pupal stage, and the final adult stage as a butterfly.

What butterflies are attracted to Dutchman’s pipe?

They were Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies, a male and a female, flitting about in the neighborhood of a very large Dutchman’s Pipevine (Aristolochia macrophylla), the plant that gives them their name.

How long do pipevine swallowtails stay in chrysalis?

The pupa stage takes about two weeks before a butterfly emerges. The whole process of metamorphosis—from egg to larva to pupa to adult—takes about 33 days.

Are pipevine swallowtail caterpillars poisonous?

Both the caterpillar and the adult are poisonous. The caterpillars of the Pipevine Swallowtail feed on the poisonous host plant, Aristolochia, also known as the pipevine, Dutchman’s pipe or birthwort. It contains the lethal toxin aristolochic acid. Nevertheless, the black caterpillars turn into beautiful adults.

Are pipevine swallowtails rare?

Although the Pipevine Swallowtail is not listed as a rare butterfly, native stands of pipevine are becoming less and less common. There are many locations where the local pipevine population has dropped so low that the Pipevine Swallowtail is no longer sighted.

What do pipevine swallowtail caterpillars look like?

​What do they look like? ​The pipevine swallowtail is adorned with iridescent-blue hindwings, making it very easy to see. The underside of the hindwings features one row of seven round orange spots surrounded by the blue field. The forewings are dark brown or black.

What caterpillar eats Dutchmans pipe?

Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillars
Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillars feed on many plants in the genus Aristolochia (Dutchman’s Pipe). While there are many native Dutchman’s Pipe species to choose from, many of the tropical Dutchman’s Pipes are toxic to Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillars, although females may lay eggs on these species.

What butterflies lay eggs on Dutchmans pipe?

Giant Dutchman’s pipe entices Pipevine swallowtails into laying their eggs on the plant. The larvae may hatch, but once they begin to feed on the foliage, they die soon after.

Where do swallowtail caterpillars go to pupate?

They’ll even form chrysalises inside holes in the bottom of an egg carton that we (formerly) used to hold floral tubes: It’s much easier to deal with relocation after the chrysalis is formed. If you’re happy with the caterpillar-chosen location, just leave the chrysalis in place and let nature take its course…

How long does it take for a swallowtail chrysalis to open?

When it is ready, (about 24 hours after attaching) it will wriggle its outer skin off exposing the chrysalis beneath. The chrysalis will either be green or brown depending on the color of the surrounding area. In 1-2 weeks the butterfly will emerge.

Can you touch Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillars?

One more note about the Black Swallowtail caterpillar: it is safe to humans to hold and touch the caterpillar. It is not always safe for the caterpillar, however. The smaller they are, the more delicate they are. Also, they will molt as they grow (see life cycle of a butterfly for more information).

Is battus Philenor caterpillar poisonous?

Butterfly expert Art Shapiro, distinguished professor in the UC Davis Department of Evolution and Ecology, has seen lots of Pipevine Swallowtails (Battus philenor) already this year. “There are plenty,” he said today. “Don’t eat ’em; they’re quite poisonous.” Both the caterpillar and the adult are poisonous.