Caterpiller - Ask Extension
Found these guys chomping on my dill plant this morning. I removed four of them from the plant as they were devouring the leaves. I don't want to ki...
Knowledgebase
Caterpiller #406698
Asked June 13, 2017, 10:30 AM EDT
Found these guys chomping on my dill plant this morning. I removed four of them from the plant as they were devouring the leaves. I don't want to kill them and looking for suggestions where to put them. ANy ideas what they are? They are about 1.5 inches in length and have an appetite.
County Maryland
Expert Response
This is the caterpillar stage of a black swallowtail butterfly. They feed on wild or cultivated carrots and other members of the parsley family -- dill, celery, fennel and parsnip. They are typically in this feeding stage for about 10-14 days, before they pupate. Healthy plants will usually recover from the foliage loss.
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