awesome caterpillars I found!!what are they?

[mantisdragon]

Yesterday I found these awesome caterpillars in some Parsley in my back yard. what are they and what do they eat besides Parsley? they have almost completely consumed the parsley so I need something else to feed them.

[papilio28570]

That is the larva of a Black Swallowtail. It feeds on parsley and carrot greens. It appears you have enough food plant available from the photos, but if not, go to the grocery store produce section and buy a bunch of parsley. The larva looks in its last instar and should pupate in another day or so.

[bluemoth]

Be very care full buying plants at the market - some may have pesticide residue on them. Buy only organic plants at the market. The larva have similar hosts as the Anise Swallowtail of the west US. They should also except carrot and celery tops, anise or fennel, and dill. I used to rear them when I lived on the east coast. The sexes have different color patterns.

[wollastoni]

Those Black Swallowtail larvas are close from our wonderful Papilio machaon from Europe.
A picture from machaon on fennel (Canon EOS 400D 100mm macro)

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[lamprima2]

P. zelicaon (anise swallowtail) larva, Encinitas, S. California
Best,
Sergey

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