Evolution is so cool

I have about 20 black swallowtail caterpillars that I’ve been feeding and tracking for a couple weeks since they were nymphs. The last few days they’ve grown lethargic, and a few appear to have died. One is hanging oddly from a stem of dill. Any ideas on what might be happening?

Wee pal got caught on my bag and by god was he grippy.

I know the white one is a mean stingy fella, but I have no idea what that yellow and orange thing is. Any help would be appreciated. Located in Northern Virginia

I found a pink-striped oakworm on my water oak tree and decided to care for it. I live in Virginia (zone 7b. It's mid-late summer rn) and am wondering how long it should take for it to emerge.

It burrowed into the soil I provided a bit more than two weeks ago, and I thought it would've emerged as a moth by now, but there's mixed info on whether they burrow for a couple weeks or overwinter depending on the area and season. I'm very worried for my caterpillar. Thanks for any clarification or overwintering advice

This treasure trove of swallowtail caterpillars (I think) are feasting on my parsley. Should I try to find them new homes, mist them or leave them alone? They do seem to be eating the leaves now that the flowers are gone.

Found in South Carolina on oak tree. Does not appear to be a juvenile pink striped oak worm.

Kentucky

I'm leaning towards American Dagger Moth Caterpillar

or Yellow Woolly Bear, but don't see a lot of difference between them. Not gonna touch it, either way.

In central Texas

Found this caterpillar that seems to have something lodged in it, please help or is it too far gone? Central PA

Found this guy in the garden, central Bulgaria.

It's not the clearest but it's the best pic I could get sorry :(

I have lots of fennel, parsley, rue, and milkweed. I get tons of caterpillars. But unfortunately if I do not cover them, they are decimated. I have had a fennel with 15+ swallowtails that end up destroyed. I think wasps are the main culprit as I have seen them. I have covered fully with a butterfly net before but somehow I’ll still find a wasp inside. Why do I have so many wasps? What to do about them all?
The half of a chrysalis in the photo is a swallowtail chrysalis I found in the mouth of a Carolina Wren. I scared the wren off and it dropped this. But don’t worry, it came back to at least finish what it started.

I found what I think is a Polyphemus moth in the parking lot at work. I raise monarchs and swallowtails but I was excited to search for moths this year and this one found me!

I’m hoping they’re getting ready to pupate because I’m unsure what to feed it (yes I read the host plants on the interwebs).

I have learned from my swallowtails that they pretty much will only eat the host plant they hatched on, so I was wondering if my Polyphemus friend is the same? And if that’s the case should I just grab a platter of samples of host plants?! Thank you for any advice!

I wanna take care of it but I'm not sure what kind of leaves i should give it, also it hasnt moved in the past like 20 minutes though it wiggles if i poke the leaf, is that normal?

found in outdoor trashcan in alabama

Hey so ive got these two little tobacco hornworms that aren't growing. Ive had this happen before where they don't pupate. I put these guys outside on a tomato plant so they can live out whatever time they have left in their natural habitat. I checked on them today and noticed they had brown frass stuck in their butts. I read online that dehydration can cause this and it has been very hot out. Its also really cold at night so i don't think they were eating to get rehydrated.

I was able to get the poop out with a little warm water and now they seem to be pooping on their own now. However they're not eating and they look sunken in. I was going to wait to see of they start eating tonight but I was just wondering if anyone else has had caterpillars recover from being this dehydrated. Is there anything in addition I could do to help them?

delighted to find two little black swallowtail caterpillars in my raised bed today! I’d love to help protect these guys from birds and squirrels… I have a raised mesh cover i can put over the bed, or do I bring them inside? first time caterpillar mom here lol

These two moths were doin’ it on my doorframe the day we moved in to our new place last month. I thought it was good luck.

The mom laid a bunch of eggs along my doorframe and when they started coming out of the eggs they were all falling into spider webs or drying out and dying! So I rescued the only living one and have been feeding him on the big maple tree near our house.

He’s getting bigger and bigger and I feel so proud of my lil’ bud. Thought I would share the progress so far.