Herb garden VS Swallowtail caterpillars

[Digitlanalog]

So, This is kind of a silly thing to share but I'm so excited and I hope I'm not the only one with a love for cute bugs and gardening!!
My mom and I picked up this old wash basin back in the middle of the summer and about two months ago I planted some dill and basil just because it was better than looking at an empty basin! ;P
8 Days ago, We found these guys on my Dill!! (sorry for the huge pics)
Day 1

Swallowtail butterfly babies!
Well, since I couldn't bring myself to kill butterflies, I decided to keep them and since this is the only plant I have around here that they eat, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing I let them starve! ; ;
and OMG ARE THEY PIGS!
Day 2

Day 3

at this point, I was busy and didn't get out to take any pictures but surprise!!! (Crazy growth speeds!)
Day 5

They were taking over! Literally Nomming their way through everything! (but still so cute!)


And I made them this sweet chateau to keep out the hungry birds!

Day 7 Today we are beautiful!


I didn't take any pictures today but I did build their cage/house for when they go into chrysalis state and I had to run around and buy them organic parsley and Cilantro because the Dill just can't keep up with their appetites! I'm hoping to get them into the cage by next week as they seem to be starting to wander around more and eat a bit less. Anyone have any tips or ideas they wanna share? I think some of them will emerge this year but some will probably winter over until next year because its so late in the summer. I haven't done this since I was a kid so it's pretty new to me.

[La Ptite Bete]

Wow... I don't know anything about caterpillars (except they turn into butterflies)...
What you did is great ! And what amazing pictures...
Aren't caterpillars stinging ?

[DuckyBelkins]

That is SO cool! I love bugs and it turns out I'm liking gardening too so maybe I'll try this next summer I LOVE your pictures!

[Digitlanalog]

thanks!! Some caterpillars sting but usually those are Moth caterpillars The only thing these guys have are two little orange antennas that pop out of their heads if you scare them its to scare off predators but its SO CUTE! and apparently it also makes a bad smell but I have yet to smell it.
Oddly enough, it looks just like Caterpie here,

But yeah, they're totally harmless. I can't wait for my 3 day weekend so I can get them situated! I'm like a real life pokemaster!

Thanks Ducky! We should start a gardening thread! Sadly this year is almost over for the garden in my region.

[kuja.girl]

You just hit one of my "Yes" buttons - I love insects :)
I wish more gardeners would sacrifice a little for the good bugs - they may eat your plants now but they make it up when they get their wings by being pollinators.

Here's an image of that shows the defensive ... head ornamentation:

Spoiler

If this is what your visitors look like - it's likely Papilio polyxenes asterias - Black Swallowtail. You should submit your best photos to Bugguide though if you really want to know for sure.

[Digitlanalog]

Yeah, my mom and I basically sat out in the yard and she said "Well, You can buy Dill anywhere, but you can't buy butterflies" and I agreed.
Next year though, I'm going to plant more so I have some for them and get a little for myself too!

and yep! thats it! They seemed to do that alot more when they were small, I haven't seen them do it lately, but I also don't try to scare them on purpose lol

[RMDC]

You are 100% awesome for taking care of these guys.

[blackmageheart]

You are 100% awesome for taking care of these guys.

[Digitlanalog]

awww Thanks!
It's funny, I worry about them when I'm at work lol.. I can't imagine what it would be like to have real human children haha

[m4pl3g1rl]

This is so cool! I might suggest an indoors herb garden - that way you can have them through the winter. However I think it's awesome you're willing to take care of 'em.