Going to the Top - _TNY_9552
A larvae (or caterpillar if you prefer) of the common yellow swallowtail (Papilio machaon) climbing up the not yet opened inflorescence on one of its host plants, the purple angelica (Angelica gigas).
This is the final instar before it will begin the transformation into an adult butterfly. The first instar looks quite a bit different but looks quite attractive in its own way: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/45997640022/
Going to the Top - _TNY_9552
A larvae (or caterpillar if you prefer) of the common yellow swallowtail (Papilio machaon) climbing up the not yet opened inflorescence on one of its host plants, the purple angelica (Angelica gigas).
This is the final instar before it will begin the transformation into an adult butterfly. The first instar looks quite a bit different but looks quite attractive in its own way: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/45997640022/