Black swallowtails (Papilio polyxenes) can easily be misidentified if you’re not paying close attention. Black swallowtail caterpillars can be mistaken for monarch caterpillars (Danaus plexippus). They have very similar coloring. The key difference is that black swallowtail caterpillars have yellow spots, while monarch caterpillars only have stripes. Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed plants. Black… Continue reading Black Swallowtails