Swallowtail caterpillar

[CFB]

In the middle of watering the garden, I found what I assume is a Swallowtail caterpillar walking up a wall:

When it got nearly to the top, it decided to go back down:

It then disappeared into some undergrowth.

Was it looking for somewhere where it could turn into a pupa, or is it a bit too early for that?
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Colin

[ChrisC]

i can't help answer your question but that's just showing off lovely to think about having them in the garden,

Chris

[Debbie]

What a lovely looking caterpillar

[Padfield]

It looks full grown to me and I think you are probably right that it is looking for somewhere to pupate. The females are quite clever about where they lay their eggs and unless something like a drought or local council has destroyed the foodplant you don't normally find still growing caterpillars far from greenery.

Guy

[CFB]

that's just showing off

Well I'd better not tell you that today there was a Two-tailed Pasha floating around the Arbousier trees, and a Swallowtail busy on a Red Valerian, and that for about the last couple of weeks a Scarce Swallowtail has been regularly coming to the garden .
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Colin