Black Swallowtail: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Butterflies of the Americas · day 6 of 7

Five facts

1. Its caterpillar has a garden nickname, the "parsleyworm", because it eats parsley.
2. When threatened, the caterpillar pops out an orange forked gland that looks like a snake's tongue and gives off a nasty smell.
3. Its chrysalis hangs in a silk loop. This belt helps the butterfly unfold its very large wings as it crawls out.
4. It needs a body temperature of around 24 °C to fly. On cool days it perches low and raises its body above its flat wings.
5. Once a male wins a patch, he keeps it to himself 95% of the time, chasing off any male who comes near.

The quiz

1. What is the black swallowtail caterpillar nicknamed?

• The cabbage worm
• The apple borer
• The parsleyworm (correct)
• The oak looper

It is called the parsleyworm because it feeds on parsley.

2. What does the caterpillar's orange forked gland look like?

• A snake's tongue (correct)
• A flower petal
• A bird's feather
• A leaf bud

The gland looks like a snake's tongue and gives off a foul smell.

3. How does the silk loop around the chrysalis help?

• It keeps rain off
• It helps the butterfly unfold its big wings (correct)
• It glows at night
• It makes the chrysalis spin

The loop helps the butterfly unfold its very large wings as it emerges.

4. About what body temperature does a black swallowtail need to fly?

• About 5 °C
• About 60 °C
• About 0 °C
• About 24 °C (correct)

A body temperature of around 24 °C is needed for flight.

5. What does a male black swallowtail do when another male comes near his patch?

• Shares his flowers
• Hides under a leaf
• Chases him away (correct)
• Flies to a new patch

Males aggressively chase rivals, then return to their patch.

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