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tabbywhite

Help with Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillars?

TabbyWhite
12 years ago

My mom found what look to be two large Eastern tiger swallowtail caterpillars on her young tulip tree. She doesn't want them eating the tree, and so was pretty adamant that they be moved. I don't know what they will eat that we have in our yard (aside from tulip tree), and so am not sure where to put them. Right now, they are in one of those Insect Lore butterfly garden containers, but I also have my five painted lady pupae in there and am very worried because the tigers are disturbing them.

If I put the tigers in the weeds, will they find sustenance on their own? (It sounds like a bad idea, but I thought I would ask.) I've read on different sites that they will eat willow, cottonwood, birch, or lilac bushes, all of which we have, but opinions seem to differ. Would it be safe to relocate them to any of those? In the meantime, will they hurt the painted ladies? I don't know anything about caterpillars, so I have no idea! :(

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