skip to main content

Butterfly Garden

Black Swallowtail Caterpillars in December!

12 years ago

I have found what I think are Black Swallowtail Caterpillars on parsley in my front flower bed. It has been a mild fall so far with temps between 60s and 70s. My boys and I were really surprised at our find. It is supposed to get cold this weekend in the 40s. What should I do with the caterpillars to ensure that they survive the winter?

Any suggestions would be helpful as this is my first time raising butterflies. Thanks.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

eclecticgardener
12 years ago
Hi, I am in the same situation as you are. (Monarch's though)
If all other suggestions here fail for you, you may try doing the same thing that I am doing.
I found that I can take my cats and butterflies to the Texas Discovery Gardens in Dallas at Fair Park.

You can call them here:
214-428-7476 ext. 341

They have a climate controlled place to raise them. :)

Hope this helps!
terrene
12 years ago
Alison, I know this reply is late, sorry that things are slow on this forum this time of year. For many of us, butterfly season is over! Sniff! Hopefully your cats are okay. You can bring the cats inside and raise them in a container, and once they pupate they will undoubtedly wait until Spring to emerge. I am keeping my dormant swallowtail chrysalises outside in a mesh enclosure along the side of the house.
ladyrose65
12 years ago
Wow...I can believe it. It's warm here. The ground is not frozen.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Entice Eastern Tiger Swallowtails With Summer Flowers

By Pollination Press LLC

Grow nectar-rich native bloomers and larval host plants for these endearing butterflies

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Plants That Beat Butterfly Bush for the Wildlife Draw

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

It's invasive, a nonnative and a poor insect magnet. Check out these better alternatives to butterfly bush in the garden

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES 7 Native Wildflowers to Make You an Awesome Butterfly Host

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Offer the leaves of these and you’ll get more butterflies than with flower nectar alone

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Garden for Wildlife to Reap Rich Rewards

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

When you plant with animals and insects in mind, you make gardening easier, the planet healthier and yourself more present

FALL GARDENING 7 Reasons Not to Clean Up Your Fall Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Before you pluck and rake, consider wildlife, the health of your plants and your own right to relax

FLOWERS AND PLANTS Help Monarchs and Other Butterflies by Planting Common Milkweed

By Pollination Press LLC

Summer-blooming Asclepias syriaca is an important larval host plant for the monarch butterfly and attracts a number of pollinating insects

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Native Shrubs for Year-Round Bird Feeding

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

It’s not just about berries. These plants provide insects for birds and seasonal interest for gardeners

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Anise Hyssop Delights Licorice Lovers

By Pollination Press LLC

With its distinct scent and flower spikes, drought-tolerant Agastache foeniculum stirs interest among humans and winged creatures alike

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Be a Butterfly Savior — Garden for the Monarchs

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Keep hope, beauty and kindness alive in the landscape by providing a refuge for these threatened enchanters

GARDENING GUIDES Attract Hummingbirds and Bees With These Beautiful Summer Flowers

By Annie Thornton

Roll out a welcome mat for pollinators to keep your landscape in balance and thriving

More Discussions

?what to do with this little guy?

3