Nemo?

So I logged in to Facebook and I see a new posting from my brother (not a gardener, but he is a great photographer): "Anyone wanna tell me what this is that I found on my porch screen today?"

Photo by Jason Cordoba

I knew it was a caterpillar and I was so jealous because I have never found one of these in my garden (or any garden)! He received responses like "corn snake," "it's so cute," and my favorite, "you FOUND Nemo!" Well, this is a Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar. I love it's dramatic color and "eyes." This caterpillar is a great mimic and uses this talent to ward off predators. In it's early stage, it resembles a bird dropping. Then as it molts, it develops a green color (later orange) and eyes to resemble a snake.

I'm going to check out my brother's yard and look for the Spicebush Swallowtail's host plants: Sassafras, Spicebush, Camphortree, and Red Bay. Maybe I can steal a few cuttings for my garden ;-) .

Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly by bobistraveling via Flickr

References: 

Butler, J. & Hall, D. (2000).  Spicebush Swallowtail, Papilio troilus Linnaeus (Insecta:  Lepidoptera: Papilionidae. Retrieved from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/IN/IN32500.pdf .