First-instar eastern black swallowtail larva (Papilio polyxenes)
This is a newly hatched baby eastern black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes). It’s only about 6mm long, practically invisible on this plant. By the time it’s ready to become a butterfly, it will have molted four or more times, and will be about four inches long (see photo below)!
The white spot on its back is intentional — at least, it is camouflage, making the baby look kind of like bird poop.
