What is this caterpillar? (A: Eastern Black Swallowtail)

This is the caterpillar of the Eastern black swallowtail butterfly. Eastern black swallowtail caterpillars may devour parsley, dill, fennel, and other plants in the carrot family, but they’re a welcome sight in the garden. These striking caterpillars transform into beautiful eastern black swallowtail butterflies, important pollinators that help support a healthy backyard ecosystem. Learn which host plants attract them, why gardeners should avoid controlling the caterpillars, and how to identify the differences between male and female swallowtail butterflies. Supporting swallowtails with nectar-rich pollinator plants helps create a thriving pollinator-friendly garden full of butterflies all season long.

Related Videos:
Monarch Butterflies: Migration and Milkweed
Caterpillars on Parsley

Related Resources:
Parsleyworm \ Eastern Black Swallowtail 
Black swallowtail