Scenes from the Garden: Swallowtail Caterpillar

Papilio machaon, also know as the Old World Swallowtail, with its yellows and blues and reds, is one of the most beautiful butterflies I have seen so far. But this species is special to me for one more reason other than its beauty: its caterpillar is also gorgeous! Not many caterpillars can be called pretty, but this one definitely can. If you don't believe me (to be honest, a lot of caterpillars are just damn ugly), check these images and judge for yourselves (as always, click to embiggen):