Susan from Days on the Claise blogged about what wildlife to look for in September and mentioned that the Swallowtail [Papilio machaon] caterpillar can be found feeding on Fennel, French Hog's-fennel or Wild Parsnip -- "it's even worth checking your garden carrots" she wrote...
Apparently any of the Umbelliferae will do....
The one below was on our Celeriac...
for a Swallowtail, though, I don't mind the loss of a leaf or two on these rather healthy plants!
NB: In the UK they are confined to the Norfolk Broads where they only feed on Milk Parsley...
Perhaps they need a bit of instruction?
1 comment:
It's a typical example of what happens in Britain, where almost everything is on the edge of it's range. The genes get more and more refined, unlike the roughty-toughty Continental types, with a thorough mix which means they will cope with a much wider variety of foodstuffs. The same happens with the Large Blues. Congratulations on your swallowtail caterpillar. I'm celery green with envy. BTW, it's just as well they don't rely on the Milk Parsley here -- it's just as rare here as it is in Britain.
Post a Comment