The Very Humongous, Hungry Caterpillar!

In recent years I have taken quite an interest in self-reliance. I started my first container garden six years ago with a single, tiny Basil plant. I now enjoy cultivating, harvesting, and drying quite a few herbs like Basil, Parsley, Lemon thyme, Spearmint, Peppermint, Chocolate Mint, Rosemary, and Sage! I even grow Cherry tomatoes, Sweet peppers, and a few (kind of sad) Cucumbers!

Although the inevitable bugs I encounter are my least favorite part of container gardening, I must admit that some insects are pretty cool looking. The other day I discovered a remarkable insect who had taken up residence, albeit temporarily, in my Parsley plant. I came upon him while I harvested some plants. As I moved from plant to plant, I worked quickly to beat the rain the thunder warned me would soon begin. When I moved to harvest the larger of my two Parsley plants, what did I spy, with my little eye, but this nifty guy! I gasped when I nearly beheaded him, for he was expertly camouflaged, but his size was tremendous! When I used my insect identifier app, I was happy to learn he will become a Black Swallowtail Butterfly once his metamorphosis occurs. However, I will have to be patient, as it can take weeks to months for him to complete his metamorphic adventure!