Check out a spicebush (
Lindera benzoin) near you, and you may be lucky enough to find a spicebush swallowtail caterpillar. We find the most caterpillars on young plants growing in the sun which, some scientists have speculated, may have a more desirable chemical composition than older bushes growing in the shade. Look for a folded leaf or leaf tip--the caterpillars wander and feed at night, but in the daytime, they stay within a leaf they have folded for protection.
This week we found two tiny caterpillars on the spicebush in the sunny Children's Garden, and we are caring for several others in the nature center. The mature caterpillar has the surprising and protective coloration that resembles a green snake, with huge yellow and black eye spots. The little caterpillars are less impressive but equally protected, made to mimic unappealing bird droppings. These strategies must protect them from some predators, but we've observed that spiders don't seem to be fooled. Check out the caterpillars at the nature center soon, before they begin their change to butterflies.
