Caterpillars can wander very far from their host plant when they want to pupate. Earlier this year I was documenting all the crazy places on my house I was finding Monarch chrysalises. Finding a Swallowtail chrysalis can be very, very hard. They blend in so well. Each instar usually lasts several days with the earlier instars going by faster than the later ones. All in all, they're a caterpillar for at least 2-4 weeks so you can kind of do the math. It can vary of course, depending on how much you feed them and how fresh the food is, etc. I usually feed my caterpillars once a day except the Polydamas are so numerous I'm having to feed them twice. I'd say checking on it each morning and evening is plenty. I get stinkhorned just by opening the lid to the cages. Some caterpillars just have attitude!
My Spicebush cat hasn't eaten either of the leaves yet but as I was typing this he moved and is currently huddled under the Spicebush leaf. We'll see what he chooses...
