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How to Care for a Black Swallowtail Caterpillar

Caring for caterpillars can be a unique and rewarding experience for people of all ages. The activity is popular in classrooms and homes. Black swallowtail caterpillars are not among the species commonly available for purchase for raising, but can be caught in their natural habitat and raised indoors. The black swallowtail caterpillar has black and green stripes with yellow-orange dots in later instars, or phases of maturity. In earlier stages it is a nondescript black fuzzy caterpillar. It is important to identify the caterpillar correctly so you can provide the food it needs.

Things You'll Need

Field guide to caterpillars
Fresh rue, fennel, parsley or dill
Large jar
Cheesecloth
Rubber band
Sticks
Paper towels

Instructions

Caring for a Black Swallowtail Butterfly
- 1
  Use the field guide to confirm the caterpillar is a black swallowtail.
- 2
  Line the bottom of the jar with paper towels. This makes it easier to clean the jar of frass, or caterpillar waste, which should be done periodically.
- 3
  Place some sticks and sprigs or potted plants of rue, parsley, dill or fennel in the jar. The jar should be large enough to accommodate the plant, sticks and the butterfly when its wings open.
- 4
  Place the caterpillar in the jar carefully, as caterpillars are easily injured.
- 5
  Cover the mouth of the jar with the cheesecloth and secure it with the rubber band.
- 6
  Provide fresh plants daily, unless you have provided potted plants.
- 7
  Place the sticks, vegetation and caterpillar in another container to clean the frass from the cage. Remove the soiled paper towels and replace with clean ones, and replace the sticks, vegetation, caterpillar and cover.

Insects & Science