![]() The osmeterium resembles an orange forked tongue and can be everted (turned inside out) when the caterpillar feels threatened, releasing a foul odor that kind of smells like rancid citrus. The black swallowtail caterpillar has a glandular defense mechanism (called an osmeterium) on its head to protect against predators. ![]() These colors grow closer together and meet at the head of the caterpillar. The stripes can also have yellow dots on top of them which makes this species one of the easiest to identify thanks to its striking features. Young caterpillars are black with white saddles, but mature into a bright green color layered with black stripes down the sides. The black swallowtail caterpillar is a species that changes color as it matures.
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