Citrus Swallowtail Caterpillar - Scientific Observation for Hatching Butterfly Pupae

The citrus swallowtail caterpillar is the larval stage in the butterfly's growth process. Its favorite foods are the leaves of plants like citrus and lemon. These caterpillars possess amazing self-preservation abilities. When young, they camouflage themselves as bird droppings to avoid danger. As they grow, their bodies turn emerald green, and they can extend bright Y-shaped "osmeteria," releasing a special scent to deter enemies. Rearing them is very simple; just provide fresh citrus leaves or prickly ash leaves, and you can witness their complete transformation from tiny leaf-eating worms, slowly pupating, and finally emerging as beautiful butterflies. It's the best educational tool for understanding the life cycle in nature!

Rearing Recommendations:

• Prepare a well-ventilated habitat, either a specialized insect rearing cage with mesh or a breathable plastic storage box, to ensure air circulation and prevent illness in the caterpillars due to dampness and stuffiness.
• You need to provide fresh orange or prickly ash leaves daily for them to eat.
• Caterpillars eat a lot and produce a lot of droppings. It is essential to clean the frass and leftover leaves from the bottom of the container daily to maintain a hygienic environment.
• Once mature, the caterpillar will stop eating and find a suitable spot (such as a branch or the side of the box) to secure itself with silk. At this point, do not move or disturb it, and wait for it to molt and pupate.

Purchase Information:
Swallowtail caterpillars will be available after April, when summer arrives.
Shipping Time: Available from April to September; dormant after October.
(Actual purchase will be young caterpillars; after a period of rearing, they will become green, medium-to-large caterpillars.)