Page 56 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

BUTTERFLY CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Papilionidae
DIS TRIBUTION Western North America, from British Columbia to Arizona
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION
HABITAT
HABITAT T Hilltops, rocky slopes, canyons, riverbanks, and roadsides
A
HABIT
HOST PLANTS S Desert parsley (Lomatium spp.)
HOST PLANTS
HOS
T PLANT
NOTE
NOTE
NO TE Caterpillar that grows fast on short-lived host plants
CONSERV A TION S T A TUS Not evaluated, but common
CONSERVATION STATUS
CONSERVATION STATUS
ADULT WINGSPAN
2⅜–2⁹∕₁₆ in (60–65 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1⁹∕₁₆–2 in (40–50 mm)
PAPILIO INDRA
INDRA SWALLOWTAIL
54
REAKIRT, 1866

Indra Swallowtail caterpillars hatch in late spring from eggs laid
singly on desert parsleys up to a week earlier. The first instar

consumes its eggshell and develops rapidly, pupating within
20 to 30 days, according to temperature. Most growth occurs in
the final instar, when the caterpillar doubles in size. The larvae

come in two color forms—banded or black. Banded caterpillars
tend to rest openly, whereas black caterpillars rest concealed
within the foliage. Bold-banding in some individuals may serve
as a real or false indication of distastefulness.

Rapid development as caterpillars is critical to this species as
its host plants senesce quickly in late spring and early summer.

There are usually five instars but sometimes only four under
hot, dry conditions. The pupae oversummer and overwinter,

spending 11 to 12 months in this stage. Male butterflies are more
often seen than females, which tend to stay on the upper reaches

The Indra Swallowtail caterpillar is black with of rocky slopes where their host plants grow.
or without bold, white to pink bands, one on
each segment. The body is smooth, with large
white, yellow, or pink spots on each segment.
The head is yellow with two wide, frontal, black
bands in an inverse V-shape.

Actual size