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Anglewing Butterfly

Insect that looks like a dead leaf
Location: Alabama
November 18, 2010 4:33 pm
Can you tell me what this bug is? I live in Birmingham Alabama. I took the picture a few days ago on November 12th. The bug looks exactly like a dead leaf. He is dark brown in color and has the shape of the blackjack leaves in our yard. He is even cut and jagged like a leaf. When his wings are opened he is the exact shape and size of a full leaf (size of an adult palm). I about swept him off the porch but noticed he had legs. His wings even looked delicate, almost like they would crumble like a dead leaf, if touched. Attached are the pictures I took. All I had was my camera on my phone and it was early morning around 6:00 am.
Signature: Mrs. Stock

anglewing stock 300x206 Anglewing Butterfly

Anglewing Butterfly: Comma perhaps

Dear Mrs. Stock,
This is one of the Anglewing Butterflies in the genus Polygonia.  There are several species that are named after punctuation marks because of the silvery markings on the undersides of the lower pair of wings.  Your specimen may be a Questionmark, Polygonia interrogationis, and you may find other images in our archives as well as searching BugGuide for its comprehensive database.  Anglewings are relatively long lived butterflies, and adults frequently hibernate over the winter even in climates with snow and freezing temperatures by seeking shelter in places like hollow trees.  The more brightly colored dorsal surface of the wings causes the Anglewing butterfly to be visible while it is in flight, but when in alights among the leaves on the forest floor it appears to disappear, thwarting any potential predators with its resemblance to a fallen leaf.

Posted 19 November 2010 § brush footed butterfly caterpillars ‡ Comments (0) °
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar

what kind of creature is this
Location: coeburn virginia
November 8, 2010 8:14 pm
found this in the yard this summer ….can you tell me what it is??
Signature: amanda mills

spicebush cat amanda 300x215 Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar

Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar

Hi Amanda,
You have discovered the caterpillar of a Spicebush Swallowtail, Papilio troilus, and judging by its coloration, it is getting ready to pupate.  The Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar is a green creature that blends into the leaves upon which it feeds.  It has large eyespots to dissuade any potential avian predators that might try to eat it because the bird may be fooled into thinking the harmless caterpillar is a predatory snake.  The coloration of the caterpillar changes to golden or even orange just prior to metamorphosis, at which time it will leave the safety of the branches to hunt for an appropriate location to transform into a chrysalis.  Autumn is the season that our website receives the most identification requests for spiders and caterpillars as they become more visible at that time of year.

2

Posted 10 November 2010 § swallowtail caterpillars ‡ Comments (0) °

Ruby Spotted Swallowtail Caterpillar Aggregation from Mexico

Bugs chilling in a circle on a tree
Location: Chichen Itza, Mexico (2hrs from Cancun)
November 7, 2010 5:16 pm
I am really curious to learn what these bugs are. I was at the ruins of Chichen Itza in Mexico and I saw them on a tree. We took video of them because they would react to noise by twitching slightly. I am sending a still from that video. Let me know if you want me to send it also.
Thanks
Signature: Jessika Canizalez

caterpillar aggregation mexico jessika 300x221 Ruby Spotted Swallowtail Caterpillar Aggregation from Mexico

Ruby Spotted Swallowtail Caterpillar Aggregation

Hi Jessica,
Many Caterpillars, and indeed a goodly number of tropical Caterpillars, for aggregations because there is safety in numbers.  We do not recognize this species, but their social formation is intriguing.  Many Morpho Butterflies have caterpillars that form aggregations.  We may try to contact Keith Wolfe who has identified several Morpho species for us in the past.  We hope to be able to provide you with a species identification soon.

Update from David Gracer
Caterpillar Aggregation from Honduras: Arsenura armida”
A.armida: very edible!
I tried this species in 4/10 at an international conference on entomophagy; one of the presenters had brought them from Mexico, and said that they’re farmed in the southern part of the country.  Fascinating.
They were also exceedingly tasty, if rather unusual.  They were fried or rather sauteed, and tasted like a cross between bacon and jerky.  Quite yummy, actually.
Dave
www.smallstockfoods.com

Thanks for the edibility update Dave.  We located a photo of the adult Arsenura armida on God of Insects and learned it is a Giant Silkmoth.  We have posted other images of Arsenura armida in the past, though the coloration seemed different and we never received images of this circular “stage coach” defense.

Correction Courtesy of Karl
November 8, 2010
Hi Daniel and Jessika:
I believe your caterpillars are Ruby-spotted Swallowtails (Papilio (=Heraclides) anchisiades idaeus), a species that ranges from Texas to northern South America (or Argentina, depending on the source you read). I found a cluster just like this in Belize in 2007, but was unable to identify the species. It was during my search for an ID that I came across your fabulous WTB site, and I have been addicted ever since. Somewhat ironically, my first submission to WTB was an ID request for this very creature, but my submission was unfortunately lost in your avalanche of email. Compare this photo to a nearly identical one that appeared in Jim Conrad’s Naturalist Newsletter, with identification by social caterpillar specialist Dr. Terrence Fitzgerald. You can check out the Butterflies of America website for pictures of adults and other life stages. Regarding the caterpillars I saw in Belize, I was able to observe them over a five-day period and was struck by their tenacious site fidelity. They spent every day gathered at the exact same spot, low to the ground on the sunny side of a tree trunk. Then every night they disappeared, presumably into the treetop somewhere, but I was never able to find them there. I somehow managed to miss the actual processions, which would have been the really interesting part. When I passed my hand close to them they would raise their heads and wave them vigorously side to side, a gesture no doubt intended to intimidate me. Regards.  Karl

Confirmation from Keith Wolfe
NOvember 8, 2010
Daniel, assuming their good fortune continues, this molting aggregation of caterpillars (chillin’ almost certainly on a rutaceous tree) will metamorphose NOT into moths or morphos, but rather Papilio anchisiades or something very closely related.  Here is the same gregarious swallowtail species from the same famous Mayan site . . .
http://www.backyardnature.net/n/10/100919.htm (click the link under “Amazing caterpillar picture”*)
. . . and a lesser number of cohorts from elsewhere:
http://www.infojardin.com/foro/showthread.php?t=49198&page=115 (the progeny of at least two females)
http://butterfliesofamerica.com/papilio_anchisiades_idaeus_immatures.htm
Best wishes,
Keith
* In my experience, P. anchisiades larvae are not processionary.

2

Posted 08 November 2010 § swallowtail caterpillars ‡ Comments (2) °
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Caterpillar Aggregation in Argentina: Morphos perhaps???

Caterpillar Love?
Location: La Paz, Entre Ríos Province, Argentina
November 3, 2010 8:54 am
We found these last weekend in Entre Ríos Province, Argentina. What are they doing?
Signature: Gabriel and Andrés

caterpillar aggregation argentina gabriel 300x225 Caterpillar Aggregation in Argentina: Morphos perhaps???

Caterpillar Aggregation

Dear Gabriel and Andrés,
Often caterpillars, especially tropical caterpillars, form aggregations, most probably because there is safety in numbers.  We have gotten several letters in the past from South America with similar images including one from Peru this summer that was identified as Morpho telemachus, and another from Brazil last year that was identified by Keith Wolfe as Morpho telemachus.  Your caterpillars look very similar but slightly more furry.  We will try to contact Keith Wolfe to see if he can verify the identity of this interesting aggregation.

Keith Wolfe provides and identification
November 5, 2010
Hi Daniel,
These are the resting, gregarious — more about living, not love — caterpillars of Morpho epistrophus (previously known as M. catenaria/catenarius), seemingly on their customary hostplant of “coronilla”, Scutia buxifolia (Rhamnaceae).  They feed nocturnally, and have probably been slowly growing since the eggs were laid in January or February.  Here is the same species from nearby Santa Catarina, Brazil . . .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiastj/2106431937/sizes/l/
. . . and a very informative historical account of interest to Gabriel and Andrés:
http://proyectopanambi.blogspot.com/2009/06/panambi-moroti-la-bandera-nacional-que.html
Best wishes,
Keith

WOW that powder blue Morpho epistrophus is sure a beautiful butterfly.

3

Posted 05 November 2010 § brush footed butterfly caterpillars ‡ Comments (0) °

Archduke Caterpillar from Borneo (or possibly Black Tipped Archduke Caterpillar)

Christmas Tree Caterpillar
Location: Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malasia (Borneo)
October 29, 2010 5:59 am
I found this caterpillar in Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malasia. Do you know the name??
Signature: With regards, Steven Gehner

stinging caterpillar borneo steven 300x225 Archduke Caterpillar from Borneo (or possibly Black Tipped Archduke Caterpillar)

Archduke Caterpillar

Dear Steven,
We are posting your awesome image without doing any research as time does not permit it at the moment.  We believe this is a Stinging Caterpillar in the Slug Moth family Limacodidae, but there are also some unusual looking stinging caterpillars in the family Saturniidae and we would not rule out that possibility.

Correction Courtesy of Karl
Hi Daniel and Steven:
It certainly looks like a Limacodid moth caterpillar but it is actually a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It reminds me of the Baron (Euthalia sp.) from India posted previously on WTB. This one, however, is in the genus Lexias, probably L. pardalis. It also has a royal common name, the Archduke. There are at least nine other species of Lexias on Borneo, most of which I couldn’t find caterpillar pictures for, but I think this one looks close enough to L. pardalis to call it. Apparently this caterpillar’s menacing appearance is all a bluff – it is perfectly harmless. Regards.  Karl

Thanks Karl,
It really does look identical to the Archduke Caterpillar, Lexias pardalis dirteana, on the link you provided.

Keith Wolfe offers another possibility
Hi Steven and Daniel,
In the interest of scientific accuracy (regrettably, the Internet is full of potentially misleading, and downright wrong, caterpillar identifications that subsequent visitors take as valid and unwittingly perpetuate), please allow me to caution that it’s equally possible for this distinctive young butterfly to be Lexias dirtea, the so-called Black-tipped Archduke.  The two species have virtually identical adults and immatures, which I know firsthand having reared L. dirtea (coincidentally from Borneo) and a number of related taxa.
Best wishes,
Keith Wolfe

Posted 29 October 2010 § brush footed butterfly caterpillars ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged:

Orange Dog

caterpillars
Location:  central Florida
October 15, 2010 8:45 pm
I found these caterpillars eating the leaves on a small, very thorny bush, about 2’ tall on the side of a sandy road in Melbourne, FL. The caterpillars are very flat and not hairy, that I can see.
Signature:  Always curious

giant swallowtail cat fla 300x251 Orange Dog

Giant Swallowtail Caterpillar

Dear Always Curious,
This is the caterpillar of a Giant Swallowtail which is commonly called an Orange Dog.  The caterpillar has several survival mechanisms, and one is that it appears to resemble bird droppings, thereby avoiding predators.

Thanks for the  giant swallowtail ID.   Your website is awesome!  Always curious

4

Posted 16 October 2010 § swallowtail caterpillars ‡ Comments (0) °

Swallowtail Caterpillar: Two Tailed Swallowtail or Western Tiger Swallowtail???

Caterpillar found in Palo Alto, California
Location:  Palo Alto, California
October 12, 2010 5:55 pm
We found this caterpillar in Palo Alto, California.
Any idea what it is?
And any pictures of what it will look like when it becomes a moth or butterlfy?
He had false eyes and a retractable head– like a turtle.
Feel free to use my pic in your great site!
Thanks!
Signature:  Jen, Connor and Alicia

tiger cat jen 300x206 Swallowtail Caterpillar: Two Tailed Swallowtail or Western Tiger Swallowtail???

Western Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar

Dear Jen, Connor and Alicia,
Your caterpillar is that of a Swallowtail, but we are not certain if it is that of a Two Tailed Swallowtail or a Western Tiger Swallowtail.  Both butterflies are large black and yellow striped butterflies that glide gracefully as they fly and they look quite similar.  We have images in our archive of Two Tailed Swallowtails and you may also see images and get more information on BugGuide.

Posted 13 October 2010 § swallowtail caterpillars ‡ Comments (0) °

Ruddy Daggerwing Caterpillar from Santa Lucia

bright orangy/red/yellow, black blue spots/stripes and blue spikes!
Location:  Saint Lucia (near the Vieux Fort light house)
October 9, 2010 6:58 pm
Hello!
So, I spent the past few hours scanning through your site looking for this guy! I haven’t found anything yet!
I was hiking the roadway up in Saint Lucia in May 2010 when this guy was spotted. Any ideas??
Thanks for having such a great site!
Signature:  Joe

caterpillar santa lucia joe 300x204 Ruddy Daggerwing Caterpillar from Santa Lucia

Ruddy Daggerwing Caterpillar

Dear Joe,
We do not recognize your Caribbean Caterpillar.  We will try to research this species and we would also request assistance from our readership.

Thanks!
I’ve attached a ‘top view’ as well.
Perhaps that will help??
I’m not sure what else I could tell you that would help…
Joe

unknown cat santa lucia joe 300x172 Ruddy Daggerwing Caterpillar from Santa Lucia

Ruddy Daggerwing Caterpillar

Young Ruddy Daggerwing
October 11, 2010
You’re slippin’, Daniel . . .

http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2010/10/10/unknown-caterpillar-from-santa-lucia/

. . . is an easy one: caterpillar of the Ruddy Daggerwing (Marpesia petreus).
Best wishes,
Keith icon smile Ruddy Daggerwing Caterpillar from Santa Lucia

Thanks for the assistance Keith,
Daniel purposely leaves a few unidentified species so that the website will be truly interactive.  Has he saved face?  Actually, he knew that this was a species previously identified, but it was not one of the Heliconias he quickly scanned on BugGuide prior to posting.  The Ruddy Daggerwing can also be found on BugGuide.

Hi Daniel and Joe:
This handsome caterpillar is a Ruddy Daggerwing, Marpesia petreus (Nymphalidae). It ranges from the southern USA to South America, including the West Indies where it is also called the Tailed Flambeau (I like that). Here is another look. Regards. Karl

Thanks Karl,
We also like the name Tailed Flambeau.  We actually think that common name could apply to either the caterpillar or the imago and the colors of the caterpillar really do resemble the colors of a burning torch.


Posted 10 October 2010 § brush footed butterfly caterpillars ‡ Comments (0) °

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