240 ] The Wonderful Ways of Insects and Spiders 



COLLECTOR'S PRIZE 



The tiger swallowtail butterfly has wings that are beautifully striped in black and 

 yellow. It gets its name from the tail-like extensions of its hind wings. While it 

 visits many flowers, it is partial to thistle and milkweed. The caterpillar of this 

 butterfly is famous for a repulsive stench it produces to discourage enemies, par- 

 ticularly hungry birds. It is also noted for two large eyespots at front end. 



From Egg to Caterpillar: A black swallowtail deposits her eggs on 

 the leaves of carrots, parsnips, or parsley. Each egg looks like a 

 tiny drop of honey. By the end of ten days, the honey-colored 

 eggs have turned almost coal black, and spiny little caterpillars 

 make their appearance. Each caterpillar at once eats the shell of 

 the egg from which it hatched, then continues feeding on the leaf 

 where it was originally placed. 



As the caterpillar grows it sheds its skin from time to time, 

 and with each molt it changes its size and coloring until it has 

 become a "carrot worm." Now it is about two inches long and 

 strikingly colored in green, black, and yellow. If you poke a 

 finger at one of these creatures, it will thrust out brilliant orange 

 horns that give off a disagreeable smell. This odor proves a most 

 effective defense against birds. 



