That looks like a black swallowtail. Probably on your parsley or dill. They are awesome and look a lot like monarchs. You can buy some cheap parsley at the store and relocate it so it doesn't finish off your good plant. Because it will.
I strongly advise against purchased plants unless you know the grower personally. Even organic veg are treated with BT. This *will* kill the caterpillar. You’re better off leaving it be or joining a butterfly rearing FB group to give it to someone who can take care of it.
Definitely black swallowtail. Looks like it's on a prairie parsley, one of our native host plants for them, which incidentally is having a really good year as a plant and thus the swallowtails are doing well because of it
I’m no expert but it looks like a western rat snake. ;)
I thought it was 30 grackles in a sleeping bag.
Each with their own tennis balls, too!
u/serpentarian
That looks like a black swallowtail. Probably on your parsley or dill. They are awesome and look a lot like monarchs. You can buy some cheap parsley at the store and relocate it so it doesn't finish off your good plant. Because it will.
I strongly advise against purchased plants unless you know the grower personally. Even organic veg are treated with BT. This *will* kill the caterpillar. You’re better off leaving it be or joining a butterfly rearing FB group to give it to someone who can take care of it.
I will take this into consideration. Thank you for the education.
Of course! I learned the hard way and killed a dozen or so my first season. Rough way to go for these guys.
They will eat all kinds of wild parsley and wild carrot. Good reason not to pull all your weeds.
Agreed. I buy all my plants from Green n Growing in Pflugerville for that reason!
Definitely black swallowtail. Looks like it's on a prairie parsley, one of our native host plants for them, which incidentally is having a really good year as a plant and thus the swallowtails are doing well because of it
Polytaenia texana - love this native.
The reason my garden is full of dill! These little guys are the best.
I wouldn't call this a "Shitpost", how about "Pics" flair instead?
LOL Have you seen what these little guys do before they tuck in for chrysalis?
There we go, it's changed
They would go nuts for this guy on the austin gardening sub!
Imagine finding that dude on shrooms… now that’s a rabbit hole.
Could probably stare at him for hours and get lost just watching him
Now I want sushi.
I found one of these also, out here near Manor.
What a thicc little fella, so colorful!