Papilio polyxenes

Lepidoptera: Papilionidae

Identification
• The caterpillars are green with black banding, and up to 1¹/₂" long. (a)
• Young caterpillars are black with white markings. (b)
• Parsleyworm is the larval stage of the black swallowtail butterfly. The butterfly has a 3" wingspan.

Damage
• Caterpillars eat leaves of parsley, celery, fennel, dill, carrot, and related plants.
• Plant damage is usually not severe.

Management
• Tolerate the damage in exchange for pretty butterflies in the yard.
• Hand-pick the caterpillars.
• Spray or dust with bacterial or other insecticide.

Other information
• Young caterpillars mimic bird droppings.
• Disturbed caterpillars evert soft, forked, orange horns from above the head that smell bad and deter predators.