Old World Swallowtail Caterpillar (Papilio machaon)

Hey dear Hive friends, first of all I hope that you are all well and that you had a day that was full of positive experiences! In this post I would like to bring you a little closer to an insect and hope you can learn something new.

This insect was discovered today near celery and I immediately used this opportunity to take a few pictures. Here you can see the caterpillar with the name Old World Swallowtail which is also known under the scientific name Papilio machaon and the name derives from the Greek mythology of Machaon. Machaon was one of the sons of Epione as well as the healing god Asklepios and became known for his healing properties and had his own temple in Gerenia and was also very revered in Pergamon. The insect is widespread in Asia, Europe, as well as Africa and North America and is able to give birth to three generations a year.

This insect is a species that is unfortunately threatened with extinction and it usually feeds on the nectar of plants and the Caterpillar is even darker at the beginning and changes color over time due to skinning. The caterpillars become about 5 cm long and when the butterfly hatches it has a wingspan of about 5 to 8 cm and the color is black and yellow. It is usually found in dry areas such as lawns or meadows and the natural predators of the caterpillars include birds that feed on insects and if the caterpillars feel threatened they can spread an intense fragrance that protects them from other living beings such as ants or other attackers.

In Hindu Mythology, caterpillars are often associated with reincarnation and the development of the caterpillar into a butterfly can also be associated with transformation and this process can also be associated with alchemical symbolism. In ancient Greece, butterflies were often associated with immortality and the Maya and Aztecs thought in butterflies or caterpillars the souls of deceased live. Often butterflies were also associated with the divine and it was thought that one could communicate with butterflies and tell them a message, which then brings them to the gods. In mythology, there are also mixed creatures that are depicted with wings of butterflies and are known as fairies.

Many thanks for stopping by and watching! I captured these pictures with my Camera Sony Alpha 6000 plus 55-210 mm lens!