Swallowtail Butterfly Osemterium
Visit -- www.Butterfliesetc.com-- for Your Living Butterfly Needs
Lifecycles
Lifecycle Facts
Raising Butterflies
Free Downloads
Butterfly Identification
Butterfly Parasitoids
Butterfly Enemies
Butterfly Disease
Butterfly Plants
Plant Pests
Butterfly Gardening
FAQ
Odds and Ends
Ask Edith
Butterfly Plant Recipes
|
Swallowtail Butterfly Caterpillar Osemterium |
Disturb a swallowtail butterfly caterpillar and you'll see and smell it - the osmeterium. Osmeteria are V shaped tubular glands right behind the head of a swallowtail caterpillar (larva), located on the prothorax. Osmeteria secrete a strong odorous fluid that is assumed to be defensive. Different species osmeteria are different colors.
 Giant Swallowtail |
 Giant Swallowtail |
 Gold Rim / Polydamas |
It was with some shock that we discovered that out of the about 40,000 butterfly and related photos, we do not have photos of each swallowtail species osmeteria. As soon as we take the rest of these photos, we'll add one for each species found in Florida that are legal to raise.
 Palamedes / Laurel |
 Tiger Swallowtail Starting to extend osmeterium |
 Photo coming soon. |