Anise Swallowtail

Anise Swallowtail Caterpillar

We had so many butterflies and caterpillars this winter that it was becoming hard to keep track of where they had attached and formed their chrysalises.  Some of the Monarchs decided to attach to the varmint panels surrounding the bed where the Asclepia is growing; it was looking a bit worse for wear with all the caterpillars chewing on it until they formed their chrysalises.

When we found the Anise Swallowtail caterpillar on the parsley plant in November, I decided I should find out what their chrysalises look like.  The caterpillar looks a lot like the Monarch caterpillar, but the chrysalis looks a lot different.

The Monarch chrysalis looks like a glowing green jewel with a row of golden dots around the top, but the Anise Swallowtail chrysalis looks more like a piece of fungus or something.

I was glad I had checked the butterfly book to see what they look like, because otherwise I might not have realized what it was.  And, of course, it had formed the chrysalis in the least convenient location for us, in the corner where two of the varmint panels meet, so neither of those panels can be moved without disturbing the chrysalis.

Cindy was going to plant some cauliflower in the corner of that bed, but it may have to go somewhere else.  The Monarchs have all hatched out and flown away now, but the Anise Swallowtail chrysalis is still there, with no sign of hatching anytime soon.

No Swiss Chard for us for a while.  What a pity.