swallowtail caterpillars (papilio machaon)

swallowtail caterpillar (papilio machaon)

every year, my neighbours cultivate herbs and vegetables in their garden, besides lots of fruit and flowers.
and every year, there is a swallowtail butterfly laying his eggs on one of his preferred food plants – dill, fennel, cowgrass, …

this time, i found three big fat colorful caterpillars feeding on the dill :grin:
but unlike last year, when i didn’t have a lot of time and bad weather/light conditions, it was a lot better this time…

 
papilio machaon is the biggest butterfly in europe’s german-speaking part, and according to the catterpillars’ size, they should belong to this year’s third generation!

 
[view photos: swallowtail caterpillars]

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