by Kat W.
Member since:
September 19, 2008

Caterpillar to Butterfly

September 14, 2009 01:52 PM EDT
views: 76 | rating: 10/10 (13 votes) | comments: 31

The cycle of life of a Black Swallowtail Butterfly.

This is what has been taking place on the parsley planted near my front door this summer.  Parsley is a favorite of the Swallowtail.

 Caterpillar state, munching on the parsley.

Chrysalis stage, metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly.

Black Swallowtail Butterfly (male) that emerged from the chrysalis today!  He hung out until his wings were dry.  He is a beauty!

There are still more caterpillars on the parsley, some will form chrysalis and become butterflies this year.  Some will stay in a chyrsalis state until next spring.  Nature is so cool!
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Comments: 31

Bridget ♥ Sep 14, 2009, 1:53pm EDT
WOW, this is a beautiful photo essay! your photos are so crisp and clear and I love how you followed the journey!
Kat W. Sep 14, 2009, 1:55pm EDT
Thank you, Bridget.

I only wish I had been home when he was leaving the chrysalis. It would have been so cool to get it on video!
Rhonda M. Sep 14, 2009, 1:54pm EDT
Wow is right...that was wonderful...thanks for sharing. They are beautiful!
Dagmara H. Sep 14, 2009, 1:55pm EDT
those are an awesome pictures
Lee P. Sep 14, 2009, 1:57pm EDT
Ohhh, pretty butterfly. The photo essay is incredible. That yucky caterpiller such made a pretty transformation.
Vivian P. Sep 14, 2009, 2:00pm EDT
this is really neat ! love the photos !
Kat W. Sep 14, 2009, 2:07pm EDT
Vivian I think of you when I witness this stuff because I know you "get" how awesome it is.
George Shaw Sep 14, 2009, 2:05pm EDT
That is a really lovely photo essay. Thanks, Kat
April H. Sep 14, 2009, 2:09pm EDT
Very cool! Thanks for sharing the photos!
Marianne R. Sep 14, 2009, 2:18pm EDT
Very cool photos & essay.
Lisa C. Sep 14, 2009, 2:41pm EDT
Oh wow! Your photos were great! Both of my kids loved your caterpillar to butterfly metamorphosis!
Kat W. Sep 15, 2009, 8:49am EDT
There are some cool video's on Youtube the caterpiller forming the chrysalis and emerging from one that they might enjoy.
Rose H. Sep 14, 2009, 3:13pm EDT
Fabulous!!! Now I know what the butterfly looks like before it morphs.

Cool sequence, Kat - loved it!
☀ Aunt Shanny Sep 14, 2009, 3:22pm EDT
Very cool!

But I wouldn't let it munch my parsley :)
Kat W. Sep 15, 2009, 8:50am EDT
I planted it just for them. I don't cook with it very often. My basil is a different story, lol.
Sandra H. Sep 14, 2009, 3:45pm EDT
That is such a cool photo essay! I love your photos, very neat looking!
Jennifer M. Sep 14, 2009, 4:16pm EDT
Wow, what a great photo essay Kat! He turned into such a beauitful butterfly!
Kim B. Sep 14, 2009, 4:16pm EDT
Awesome!
Wow, to have this show right outside your door too, that is so beautiful to see!
phil w. Sep 14, 2009, 9:16pm EDT
Kat, a super photo essay ! Cool beans !
M & M. Sep 14, 2009, 9:31pm EDT
What an awesome essay of photos. Thank you for sharing.
DesertDarlene L. Sep 14, 2009, 9:36pm EDT
Such a beautiful butterfly. It's too bad that their caterpillars do so much damage to plants sometimes.
Spectacular! I hope they left you some parsley for cooking.
Ruthi C. Sep 15, 2009, 2:28pm EDT
Kat, what a wondrous share! Spectacular view of the changes of a life!
Debra H. Sep 15, 2009, 5:46pm EDT
This is fabulous Kat
Bundy P Sep 15, 2009, 6:46pm EDT
Wow! I'm glad you got the whole cycle!
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Sep 15, 2009, 9:28pm EDT
Very nice, these are wonderful photos and it's nice to see the progression.

Thanks so much for sharing with my group.
Digital Diva S. Sep 15, 2009, 11:12pm EDT
Good job - loved your photos.
Tory H. Sep 16, 2009, 12:40pm EDT
Oh, wow! That's such a neat transformation to see!
Sheila Deeth Sep 16, 2009, 6:46pm EDT
Oh wow! I always wanted to see something like this.
carolyn b. Sep 17, 2009, 9:01am EDT
Wow, I haven't seen this since school, great photo essay

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