Monday, October 06, 2008

Orange Dog on Garden Rue

The caterpillar of the Giant Swallowtail
is called an Orange Dog.

Three Orange Dogs were on my
Garden Rue this morning.

It is late in the season.
I wonder if the caterpillars overwinter?

21 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

OMG this is beautiful. I have never seen such a caterpillar. Actually I haven't seen many at all. This is a gorgeous specimen. I read through all my literature but haven't found anything about whether it overwinters. How exciting to find it in your garden. I have only had a Giant Swallowtail in my garden one time. I would faint if I found the caterpillar on my rue. I will have to look tomorrow you know. :)

Marimoy said...

don't worry, caterpillars are in this (larva) stage for so little time. They will form a chrysalis quickly and in this stage they CAN overwinter. The pupa (chrysalis) phase is the easiest one to winter in. Sorry for all the extra info... I DO work with butterflies all day!

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

I don't think I've ever seen such a beutiful caterpillar.

Wendy said...

My goodness he's strange looking. Very clear pic.

Mary said...

You find the most unusual, beautiful life in your city yard. Amazing.

Hugs,
Mary

marmee said...

this is incredible looking! it really does have a dog face. great photo.

Cheryl said...

Well Sherry I have to say I think that is the most beautiful caterpillar I have ever seen......what a joy to share.....

Grammy said...

How wonderful I have never seen Orange Dogs before. Great picture. Have a wonderful day.

Sheila said...

Wow, what a fantastic little creature. You photography is great, I am envious..lol
His colours are wonderful.

Q said...

Dear Lisa,
Thank you. I am all a twitter over caterpillars...I am smitten.
I was surprised to see the Orange Dogs on the rue. I thought they only would host on Prickly Ash.
Very exciting! Hope you find some Orange Dogs on your Rue too.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Mimi,
Thank you! I do trust you, science lady and butterfly friend...
I love all information about caterpillars and chrysalises. I hope these three Orange Dogs make it to next spring. I will keep an eye for when they make their cocoons.
I also will plan on some good spring necter plants so they have a nice meal when they emerge.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Lynne,
I am very pleased to have three in the herb garden. Three!
It is cold and rainy today so I did not go caterpillar hunting. Tomorrow it is to be sunny and warm. I plan on getting the macro lens out.
Oh Lynne, it is fun to hunt for bugs...
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Wendy,
When I first saw them I was so excited. I saw them Sunday evening and it was getting to be too dark for pictures. I was pleased they were still feeding in the morning.
I had looked them up in my caterpillar book so I was aware they were Giant Swallowtail cats...
I bet I have lots of Monarch cats because I have lots of milkweed...
I am very excited...caterpillars are darling. Ahhh...
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Mary,
As you can just imagine I am so very smitten. I look at the pictures of the caterpillars in my caterpillar field guide and I want to see them all. Some have such cool personalities...The Spicebush cat is amazing.
Okay...I am on the hunt.
Will report in later.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Marmee,
My book says from the top this cat looks like a snake to birds..
I guess so.
I think they are cool.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
I am wild for the caterpillars..just wild about them. I have been chatting at supper to my husband all about the different cats..he gets tickled when I am so enthusiastic. Also he knows once I fall in love I am always in love...
I love caterpillars...
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Grammy,
I had never seen them before either...now that I have the macro lens I can take pictures of them. This helps me identify the cats. I
Ahh...life in the garden is good.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Shelia,
The macro lens helps to be able to take the pictures. The one I bought has a nice depth of field.
So exciting...
Caterpillars mean butterflies next spring, if all goes well. They take the sting out of Winter...I know the bugs are just resting, waiting to emerge.
Sherry

kkryno said...

Wow! This a most interesting liitle being. I can't beleive how gorgeous he/she is.

As always; thank you for sharing your lovely world with all of us. :)

Love, Vikki.

Q said...

Dear Vikki,
I think if I just sat in one spot I would see all sorts of cool bugs.
I have been watching a BBC program called, "Life in the Undergrowth". It is all about the bugs.
I like bugs very much. Glad you do too.
Sherry

Unknown said...

I have 5 orange dog caterpillars on my lime tree. In 2009 I fed one and it made a cryssalis that took 5 months to turn into the most beautiful giant swallowtail.