Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly Caterpillar

The Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly Caterpillar is the larva form of… wait for it… the Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly! He likes to eat Spicebush (surprise!). When he’s little, he’s all brown and white splotchy and looks like bird droppings. After he molts a couple of times he looks like this. It is a form of protection called Mimicry. He will hide his body under leaves with only his front end and False Eyes showing. If a predator gets too close he will stick out his Osmeterium that looks like a snake’s tongue and can emit a very foul smell.

Swallowtail Caterpillars will spend the winter in their chrysalis in leaf litter, ready to emerge as a butterfly in the spring. Help to preserve their numbers and save their lives by opting to compost your fall leaves rather than burning them. Swallowtail butterflies are large and beautiful and easily recognizable, though, in my opinion, not nearly as interesting as their caterpillar form. 

STATS:

Difficulty Rating: 

Crochet Terms: American

Language: English

Finished Size: 30 inches long, 23 inches around at widest point

In-line color changes: none
Skill Level: novice

Shaping: yes

Sewing: extensive

No. of Pages: 12

No. of Images: 24

Also includes: Alternative color suggestions, hidden osmeterium pocket

Materials: ·         Crochet hooks in: -       4.00mm(G) -       3.25mm(D) ·         Stitch markers ·         Long straight pins ·         Stuffing ·         measuring tape ·         Clothes pins or other clips ·         Tapestry Needle ·         (optional) Clear fishing line in 25# test or stronger See Yarn/Color Notes on page 2 ·         #2 (sport) weight yarn in: -       black 300yds -       peach or gold 150yds -       aqua blue 50yds -       white (small amount) ·         #4 (medium) weight yarn in: -       lime green 250yds/5oz -       taupe 350yds/7oz -       yellow 50yds -       black 20yds -       (optional) small amount lighter or darker than your taupe

Stitches Used: American Crochet Terms MR - magic ring sc - single crochet hdc - half double crochet dc - double crochet sc2tog - single crochet 2 together sc3tog - single crochet 3 together slst - slip stitch sk - skip FO - finish off RS/WS - right/wrong side BLO - back loop only

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