Papilio multicaudatus multicaudatus adults

Butterflies reared from Arizona.

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Papilio multicaudata multicaudata third instar larva

Young instar caterpillars tend to mimic bird droppings.

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Papilio multicaudata multicaudata fifth instar larva

Two-tailed swallowtail young fifth instar larvae begin to lose their white saddle as they grow as evidenced in this and the next photo.

Papilio multicaudata multicaudata fifth instar larva

Papilio multicaudata multicaudata fifth instar larva

Papilio multicaudata multicaudata fifth instar larva

Closeup of false eyes.  Glaucus group swallowtail caterpillars have false eyes to try and intimidate possible predators.

Papilio multicaudata multicaudata fifth instar larva

As fifth instar larvae of glaucus group swallowtails, including the two-tailed swallowtail, approach the point of seeking pupation, they begin to change color from green to brown.

Papilio multicaudata multicaudata fifth instar larva

This process begins here.

Papilio multicaudata multicaudata fifth instar larva

Papilio multicaudata multicaudata fifth instar just before purging and then seeking pupation.