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Monarch Caterpillars

Monarch – Different Instars?
Location: Fort Myers, Florida
December 20, 2010 11:10 am
Greetings from sunny (but cold) Florida! I was suprised to find I still have monarch caterpillars even after the almost freezing weather this past week. However, I also noticed another caterpillar that looked very similar – but the black, yellow, and white bands are different. They are both on the milkweed, but the look-alike’s black bands seem more prominent. I’ve watched over the last couple of days, and the look-alike doesn’t seem to be changing the bands as he gets bigger. Is this a different butterfly, or just a different stage of the monarch I haven’t seen before?
Thanks!
Signature: Catherine

monarch cats catherine 300x189 Monarch Caterpillars

Monarch Caterpillars

Dear Catherine,
Just as some people have brown hair and others red or blond hair, there is often individual variation among insects of the same species.  We do not see anything unusual in the variations you point out and it is our opinion that these are two Monarch Caterpillars.  Thanks for your question and also for your wonderful photograph.

Posted 20 December 2010 § brush footed butterfly caterpillars ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged:
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Metallic Chrysalis from Costa Rica: Cream Spotted Clearwing Butterfly

Silver Metallic chrysalis
Location: Costa Rica
December 19, 2010 9:24 pm
Hey bugman, I’m trying to get an id on this chrysalis. If I had thought about it, I would have just gotten the name from the card sitting on the display. But six months removed from the time I took the picture, I can’t seem to find any info about it. The picture was taken in the butterfly garden at La Paz Waterfall Gardens in Costa Rica. From their webpage, I know the chrysalis came from one of the species listed here – http://www.waterfallgardens.com/butterflies.php. Any idea which it is? Thanks
Signature: Patrick

chrysalis metallic nymphalidae costarica patrick 199x300 Metallic Chrysalis from Costa Rica: Cream Spotted Clearwing Butterfly

Cream Spotted Clearwing Butterfly Chrysalis

Dear Patrick,
It would seem that you are in possession of the same information that we would need to search for the identity of your Chrysalis.  If we wanted to identify the chrysalis of a butterfly that we knew was represented on a list of possibilities, our course of action would be to search for images of the chrysalis of each of the 39 species pictured on the Waterfall Gardens website by utilizing a search engine.  We would definitely eliminate the Swallowtails, Sulphurs and Whites from the first two rows as this is a Brush-Footed Butterfly or Nymphalid Chrysalis.  We noticed that the website you provided has individual pop up windows on the species that they picture, but alas, those do not have images of the entire life cycle.  We would hope that after searching the remaining 31 possibilities, eliminating known quantities like the Monarch, we might be able to provide an answer.  Doing this type of painstaking research often takes a great deal of time.  Working our way through the list, we are content that this is the Chrysalis of the Orange Spotted Tiger Clearwing Butterfly, Mechanitis polymnia, the 37th species from the top, based on a photo on the Visuals Unlimited website and one on the PhotoBank website.  It is also pictured on the Obsession with Butterflies website.  The chrysalis of the closely related Mechanitis polymnia looks quite similar and it is pictured on the Butterfly of San Martín Peru website.

Thanks, I’m satisfied.

Correction Courtesy of Keith Wolfe
December 22, 2010
Daniel, I’m sorry to be a grinch, since you obviously spent a fair amount of time trying to find an ID, but this chrysalis isn’t an Orange-spotted Tiger Clearwing (Mechanitis polymnia)-in-waiting, instead almost certainly being that of a Cream-spotted Clearwing (Tithorea tarricina)*, which is another common Costa Rican ithomiid featured in local butterfly exhibits.  The pupae shown in your second and third links appear to be correctly labeled as Orange-spotteds, however, the trio that pop up at the Obsession site are actually Cream-spotteds — note differences in the two species’ shape, patterning, and color.  (As I mentioned before, wrong identifications of caterpillars and chrysalises abound on the Web, thus the importance of keeping the Bugman “honest”.)  And here’s what Patrick’s Cream-spotted looked like several days earlier: http://culturalnomad.deviantart.com/art/Striped-tube-146765080.
Best wishes,
Keith
* http://www.tolweb.org/Tithorea/27578

Thanks so much for the correction Keith.  It is much appreciated.  It is interesting that the Cream Spotted Clearwing is not even represented on the Waterfall Gardens website.  Upon receiving your correction, we found an image on FlickR of the chrysalides of the Cream Spotted Clearwing to link to for reference.

Update from Keith Wolfe
Daniel, I just checked and Tithorea tarricina (Cream-spotted Clearwing) is listed by La Paz — reading left to right, 25 pix down.
Cheers,
Keith

Thanks Keith,
Our eyes looked right past it.

Posted 20 December 2010 § brush footed butterfly caterpillars ‡ Comments (0) °

The Mystery of the Cutworm and the Chrysalis

Caterpillar munching on chrysalis
Location: Rancho Bernardo, CA
December 8, 2010 1:46 am
Hello bugman,
This site is awesome! Please help identify this caterpillar that has been feasting on my Anise Swallowtail chrysalis. I found him on 12-5-10 tunneling through this chrysalis and also found a few other empty shells. I live in San Diego, CA.
Thank you.
Signature: cknapp

cutworm eats chrysalis cknapp 300x196 The Mystery of the Cutworm and the Chrysalis

Cutworm and Chrysalis

Dear cknapp,
The caterpillar in your photo looks like a Cutworm, the caterpillar of a Dart Moth in the subfamily Noctuinae.  The odd thing is that in neither of your photos is any actual eating occurring, and the tail end of the Cutworm appears attached to the Chrysalis.  The Chrysalis also appears to have a hole indicating that it was parasitized by an Ichneumon.  We will not be tagging this as a Food Chain image because the evidence does not indicate that the Cutworm fed on a living Chrysalis.

cutworm eats chrysalis cknapp 2 300x144 The Mystery of the Cutworm and the Chrysalis

Cutworm and Chrysalis: What is really happening here???

Thank you for the reply.  I have a screened cage where I have about 15 swallowtail chrysalis.  On Sunday I was cleaning out some plants when I noticed one chrysalis had a large hole in the side and it was empty.  That is when I discovered this ‘cutworm’ hanging out of another chrysalis.  When first found he was head first in the chrysalis with tail end hanging out.  I removed the chrysalis and cutworm from the enclosure, placed in a tupperware and took some pictures.  These first pictures showed the head inside the chrysalis and the tail end hanging out (it appeared to be eating).  Withing an hour it backed out of the chrysalis but it kept grabbing at the chrysalis and moving it around the tupperware container. Then it went back into the chrysalis and exited through the bottom of the chrysalis which are the pictures I posted.  I thought those pictures provided a better view of the ‘cutworm’ since the previous pictures I took only showed the tail end. I found the whole situation odd since I had never seen a hole this large and I did not see any wasps or indication of anything else that would have caused this.
I do appreciate your feed back.  Thank you so much.
Cindy

Thanks for the additional information Cindy.  Perhaps one of our readers will be able to provide some insight into this unusual phenomenon.

Karl solved the mystery (at least to our liking)
The Mystery of the Cutworm and the Chrysalis – December 8, 2010
Hi Daniel and Cindy:
It is a Noctuid moth but the subfamily is Heliothinae. It looks like a Corn Earworm (also Cotton Bollworm and several other common names), Helicoverpa (=heliothis) zea.  The caterpillars come in a wide variety of colors and they change color as they progress through their moults. They are considered a very serious pest on many agricultural crops, although they apparently favour corn. The question of course is, was he caught in the act or was he an innocent bystander?  Well, if any caterpillar could commit such a crime, this would probably be it.  These are aggressive little guys with predatory tendencies and a reputation for cannibalism.  According to one report (Chilcutt 2006), cannibalism may in fact be the most important mortality factor for H. zea.  Predation on other species also has been reported, but appears less common.  If he didn’t do it, perhaps he was just sniffing around for leftovers.  Regards.  Karl

Wow Karl,
This is like an Agatha Christie episode of the insect world.  Cannibalism in Caterpillars, and then out and out predation of a harmless slumbering chrysalis.  After Cindy’s last email, I had already reconsidered the reluctance to tag this posting as “Food Chain“.

Posted 08 December 2010 § Cutworms and Owlet Caterpillars § swallowtail caterpillars ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged: ,
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Black Jezebel Chrysalis Update

Black Jezebel Chrysalis (close to emerging)
Location: South Coast NSW Australia
December 4, 2010 2:56 am
Just an update on the chrysalis i found, 2 pics before and after 1 hour to show how much it has changed within an hour.
Signature: Wade, Australia.

black jezebel pupa wade 300x171 Black Jezebel Chrysalis Update

Black Jezebel Pupa

Hi Again Wade,
Thanks so much for sending us this better focused image of your Black Jezebel Chrysalis.  It is a nice accompaniment to your earlier email.  It is marvelous the way the coloration begins to show just prior to emergence.

Posted 04 December 2010 § Sulphur and White Caterpillars ‡ Comments (2) ° Tagged:

Black Jezabel Chrysalis from Australia

What is this cocoon?
Location: Australia, New south wales
December 1, 2010 6:23 am
Yo bugman, well i live in australia new south wales and have lived here all my life and never seen this insect before its currently a cocoon, that is yellow with black spikes i found it on a spinach leaf from my garden, i was wondering if you could give me some insight into what it might be and if it could be dangerous to me or my garden.
Signature: Wade.

chrysalis australia wade 188x300 Black Jezabel Chrysalis from Australia

Black Jezabel Chrysalis

Hi Wade,
This appears to be a Butterfly Chrysalis, but we need to research the species.

Identified as Jezabel Chrysalis by Keith Wolfe
Gidday Wade and Daniel,
This unmistakable pupa is that of Delias, one of the so-called Jezebels — almost certainly D. nigrina, if memory serves me correctly.  I’ll write a bit more about these most interesting butterflies after I return home later today.
Best wishes,
Keith Wolfe

Thanks so much Keith.  Your comments are always valued contributions.  The Brisbane Insect website has a nice photo of the chrysalis of the Common Jezabel, Delias nigrina, and the Australian Caterpillar website also has confirming photographs.

Karl also supplies the identification
Hi Daniel and Wade:
It appears to be the chrysalis of a Black Jezabel (also Common Jezabel), Delias nigrina (Pieridae: Pierinae).  It ranges along the east coast of Australia from Queensland to Victoria. The caterpillars feed on a variety of mistletoes. If Google Translate works for you, you can see a really nice series of photos here, of an adult emerging from its chrysalis.  Regards. Karl

More information from Keith Wolfe
December 4, 2010
Hello again, Wade.  Regarding “dangerous to me or my garden”, the answer is a definite NO — unless you or those dear have a craving for caterpillar/chrysalis cuisine.  The highly gregarious larvae (group repellent defense) and aposematic pupae and adults (warningly colored) of Jezebels presumably advertise their unpalatability to vertebrate predators, the toxins being derived from the mistletoe plants that caterpillars eat.  Mistletoes typically grow in the upper reaches of host trees where the eggs are laid and hatchlings develop, with fully mature individuals often descending to lower levels a month or so later to pupate.  Depending upon ambient conditions and larval luck, you should be treated to a beautiful Black Jezebel butterfly in the days ahead.
Hope this helps, Wade.  Hooroo mate!

Posted 01 December 2010 § Sulphur and White Caterpillars ‡ Comments (4) ° Tagged:

Emperor Caterpillar

caterpillar
Location: Nashville, TN
November 23, 2010 10:52 pm
I found this guy in my backyard during midsummer.
I live in Nashville, TN and someone from the forestry service asked me where I found him and what he was.
The first two photos are of the same caterpillar that is in question.
The last photo that I was told was a spiny oak caterpillar. I’m not sure how accurate that is.
Anyway, any help is appreciated!
Signature: The Bug Man

emperor caterpillar tennessee 225x300 Emperor Caterpillar

Emperor Caterpillar

Dear Bug Man,
This caterpillar is one of the Emperor Caterpillars in the genus Asterocampa, which includes the Hackberry Emperor and the Tawny Emperor.  Here is a photo of the caterpillar of a Tawny Emperor from BugGuide.

Posted 24 November 2010 § brush footed butterfly caterpillars ‡ Comments (0) °

Life Cycle of a Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 2

this is the second part of the life cycle.
November 21, 2010
Location:  dirt road 4 miles north of nederland colorado in western boulder county.
the next stage the caterpillars turn brown.

2 tailed swallowtail prechrysalis venice 208x300 Life Cycle of a Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 2

Two Tailed Swallowtail changes color

they stop eating and hang on a leaf and turn brown. the first picture in this group is of a caterpillar in the process of turning brown. it takes about 8 hours for them to complete this. then they begin their walk about. they walk and walk around looking for a place to pupate.

2 tailed swallowtails 5th instar brown venice 300x193 Life Cycle of a Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 2

Two Tailed Swallowtails: Fifth Instar Green and Brown

the 2nd picture is of one of the brown ones on his walk about passing his still green sibling.  they are 2 inches long now. the first one turned brown on sept 22, 2009.

2 tailed swallowtail prechrysalis 2 venice 300x250 Life Cycle of a Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 2

Two Tailed Swallowtail: Pre-Chrysalis

when he finds his place on a twig (3rd photo) he will glue his bottom to the twig and then spin a silk thread to hold his top half to the twig. as you can see he is holding on with his pro legs as well. he becomes very still and hangs there for about two days.

2 tailed swallowtail prechrysalis 3 venice 300x232 Life Cycle of a Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 2

Two Tailed Swallowtail: Pre-Chrysalis

the 4th picture shows that he has let go of the twig with his pro legs.

2 tailed swallowtail chrysalis venice 300x276 Life Cycle of a Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 2

Two Tailed Swallowtail Chrysalis

and in the 5th photo he has shed his skin for the last time and is now a chrysalis. i only got to see one of them actually  shedding his skin at this stage and i didn’t get a picture. i was surprised at how quickly they come out of that skin and still have the thread attached and the bottom glued.  the first one pupated on sept 24,2009. i kept them all winter in a cold room and spritzed them weekly to keep them moist.  and it wasn’t till the third week of july 2010 when the first one hatched. by then i was keeping them outside in shade, but warm. i still spritzed them to keep them moist.

2 tailed swallowtail emerges venice 300x226 Life Cycle of a Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 2

Two Tailed Swallowtail emerges from Chrysalis

the 6th photo is a male two tail just recently hatched. he is still letting his wings harden. it takes a few hours before they are ready to fly. he started to flap around the aquarium and i knew he was ready. this one hatched on july 24th,2010.
the last photo shows him released. he flew into a pine tree and stayed there for a little while. i was elated with each release. all five of the eggs hatched and grew and became chrysalids and were released in the same area i found the eggs. there were two females and three males. the last one hatched on aug. 7th 2010. nearly a year from the date the eggs were laid.  what a magical experience for me.
hope this can be of some use to anyone wanting to raise two tailed swallowtails.
thanks,
venice kelly
nov.21, 2010

2 tailed swallowtail released venice 300x232 Life Cycle of a Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 2

Two Tailed Swallowtail

Hi again Venice,
We are in awe of your marvelous documentation of the life cycle of a Two Tailed Swallowtail.  Thanks so much for providing this information for our viewership.  Dear Readers, be sure to read Part 1 of this metamorphosis if you missed it.  Again, we want to add that caterpillars undergo five instars, and we suspect you missed a molt somewhere between four and five, and since your email indicates you never witnessed the molting process until the chrysalis stage, that would indicate the error in your count.  Please do not take this as a criticism as we are in awe of your dedication and the wealth of information you have provided.

thanks daniel for letting me know that when they turn brown it is the 5th instar. i was unclear about the terminology for this.
thanks for all of your knowledge. and i am very happy it didn’t take you 2 hours to post.
venice

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Posted 21 November 2010 § swallowtail caterpillars § swallowtails ‡ Comments (1) °

Life Cycle of Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 1

complete life cycle of two tailed swallowtail
November 21, 2010
Location:  dirt road 4 miles north of nederland colorado in western boulder county
hi daniel,
here are the photo’s i was telling you about of the complete life cycle of two tailed swallowtails. i have to send them in two emails as i am not able to send all 14 photo’s in one email.
the first seven photo’s begin with a picture of the female two tail laying her eggs on a choke cherry bush.

2 tailed swallowtail lays eggs venice 300x211 Life Cycle of Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 1

Two Tailed Swallowtail Lays Eggs

it was aug. 9, 2009. we were on a dirt road 4 miles north of nederland colorado in western boulder county. i had never seen a two tail at this elevation (about 8,500 feet). i found 5 eggs and brought them home to raise. i had never raised butterflies before so the whole process was new to me. and i quickly found out that two tails have a very long process to complete their life cycle.

2 tailed swallowtail hatches venice 300x228 Life Cycle of Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 1

Two Tailed Swallowtail egg shell and hatchling First Instar

the 2nd photo is of a hatchling. it is greatly enlarged. the eggs are the size of a pin head and the caterpillar (larvae)is the size of a comma. this is the first instar. the date of the first hatchling was aug. 21st.

2 tailed swallowtail 2nd instar venice 300x255 Life Cycle of Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 1

Two Tailed Swallowtail Caterpillar: Second Instar

seven days later (3rd photo) one molted to the 2nd instar.  now they look like bird poop as a protective measure. they didn’t all molt on the same day.

2 tailed swallowtail 3rd instar venice 300x225 Life Cycle of Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 1

Two Tailed Swallowtail Caterpillar: Third Instar

two weeks after that they molted to the 3rd instar  (4th photo). they still look similar but are getting bigger all the time and eating more.

2 tailed swallowtail 4th instar venice 300x204 Life Cycle of Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 1

Two Tailed Swallowtail Caterpillar: Fourth Instar

about a week later (5th photo)they started molting again and the photo shows one crawling away from his skin. this is the 4th instar and he looks like green velvet. there are several stages to the 4th instar.

2 tailed swallowtail 4th instar 2 venice 300x240 Life Cycle of Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 1

Two Tailed Swallowtail: Fourth Instar

the first is the green velvet look then they become brighter green and the white bird shaped marking on their backs still shows (6th photo) and then the white marking disappears (7th photo). they are getting bigger and bigger and eating LOTS!
i will continue this in the 2nd email  with the remaining photo’s.  thanks, venice

2 tailed swallowtail 5th instar venice 300x179 Life Cycle of Two Tailed Swallowtail: Part 1

Two Tailed Swallowtail: Final Instar we believe

Dear Venice,
Thanks so much for sending this awesome documentation.  We don’t mean to disagree with you, but caterpillars have five instars.  We believe the final image in the first half of this series is actually the final or Fifth Instar.  When the caterpillar is getting ready to form a chrysalis, it often changes colors, which is where the second half of your series picks up.  Dear Readers, Don’t forget to read Part 2 of the Life Cycle of a Two Tailed Swallowtail.

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Posted 21 November 2010 § Eggs § swallowtail caterpillars § swallowtails ‡ Comments (1) °

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