Black Swallowtail Butterfly Caterpillars or Chrysalises

Eastern Black Swallowtail  Papilio polyxenes

 Adult Wing Span: 3 1/4 - 4 1/4 inches

Range: Eastern North America, Southwest United States, Central America, and northern parts of South America

Host Plants: Plants in the carrot family (Parsley, Dill, Fennel, Carrot, Queen-Anne’s Lace), Water Hemlock, and Rue

Witness the miracle of metamorphosis! Caterpillars will need a food source when they arrive. You may purchase your host plant from Shady Oak Butterfly Farm or from a local plant nursery. Black Swallowtail Butterflies eat Parsley, Fennel, Queen Anne's Lace, Celery and Dill. Here at Shady Oak we sell Parsley, Dill, and Fennel. Two 4" potted plants will typically feed 1-2 larvae. Be certain the plant has not been sprayed with insecticides, including the organic pesticide, BT. Caterpillars usually take from one to three weeks to reach pupation size.

** Butterflies can eat a great deal during the larval stage. Please be certain you have the correct amount of host plants if you are ordering larvae.**