Wildlife - Butterflies and Moths
Tiger Swallowtail butterfly
This amazing series of images follow an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly from egg to caterpillar then into its chrysalis. More images will follow as it emerges as the Tiger Swallowtail butterfly. This butterfly may overwinter in its chrysalis and may not emerge until Spring. Two eggs were laid only this one hatched. This set of images was taken by Christy Kennedy in Michigan.
Day 2 is the day after the butterfly laid the egg.
Day 2
Day 7
Day 7
Later on Day 7 a caterpillar emerges.
Day 8
Day 14
Day 17
Day 25
Day 27 Having a drink
Day 30
Day 30
Day 31
Day 32 Starting to turn green
Day 32
Day 33
Day 33
Day 34
Day 35
Day 36 The eyespots are clearly visible. These false eyes are to scare off predators
Day 36 In this image the brown head is clearly visible
Day 37
Day 38
Day 40 The caterpillar built a hammock of silk and returns to it between feedings
Day 41 The caterpillar is shedding its skin
Day 41 Finished shedding
Day 42
Day 42
Day 44
Day 45
Day 46
Day 46
Day 48 Last meal
Day 48 Last day before color change
Day 48
Day 48
Day 48
Day 49 Color change happened over night
Day 49
Day 49
Day 49 Looking for a place to build its chrysalis
Day 49
The caterpillar has attached itself to a stick at its hindquarters
and also created a strip of silk that it will hang from
Day 50 The caterpillar is hanging from the silk
Day 51 Formed a chrysalis overnight
Day 51
To be continued