Unfortunate meeting with a saddleback caterpillar
Location: Central NJ
August 7, 2011 7:32 pm
I was weeding today and reached around a blue mist shrub and felt a sting in my forearm and found one of these saddlebacks. I only brushed it and the stinging lasted for a couple of hours. Went back to the plant and found 1 more.
Signature: malbug
Stinging Saddleback Caterpillar
Dear malbug,
Though we frequently get identification requests for Saddleback Caterpillars, it is not as frequent that we get a report that someone has been stung. Saddleback Caterpillars are not aggressive, and they do not actively seek out folks to sting, however, situations like yours are the most frequently reported stinging encounters. People will often accidentally brush against Saddleback Caterpillar or other stinging species with startlingly painful results. Other North American stinging caterpillar species include the Asp or Puss Caterpillar, the Monkey Slug, the Tussock Moth Caterpillar, the Buck Moth Caterpillar, and the Io Moth Caterpillar. You might also be interested in this University of Kentucky Entomology page on Stinging Caterpillars.
weird bug from Mo. i think its a catapiller of some sort?
Location: springfield, Missouri
August 9, 2011 7:52 pm
I found the strangest looking bug in Springfield mo. Today. It looks kina like a black fuzzy star fish but moves like a catapiller. Its belly looks like somekind of jelly substance that rolls. It can move and flip itself from any direction. HELP please!
Signature: fiesty4ever
Monkey Slug
Dear fiesty4ever,
The Monkey Slug is the caterpillar of the Hag Moth, and it is a Stinging Caterpillar that should be handled with caution, or better yet, not handled at all.
4
Caterpillars
Location: Clarks Summit,Pennsylvania
August 8, 2011 10:49 am
I found this in the middle of my cousins driveway and i’m not sure what it is.
Signature: Joey M
Traumatized Prominent Moth Caterpillar
Hi Joey,
This is a Prominent Moth Caterpillar in the genus Heterocampa. Compare your individual to this image on BugGuide. It is a typically green caterpillar, and just prior to metamorphosis, it frequently turns pink. Judging by the unnatural anal discharge, we fear this individual has been traumatized to the point that it will not live to see its winged stage. It appears to have been squished.
WHAT is this caterpillar?
Location: Alamos Sonora MX
August 5, 2011 1:09 pm
Suddenly there are many of theses large (2 inch av.) caterpillars under a large old Mesquite tree. I’m not sure if theyre falling from the tree, havent witnessed it, but, before they appeared and to this day also, there is much small green organic chunks, soft but size of dry pea, also falling from the tree and covering the ground. I’m told the chunks are casings from same.
Personally I would lose this tree if it were me if this came to pass every year. it’s too much to bear right smack in the patio outside my door.
Signature: Pepe
Pre-Pupal Syssphinx Caterpillar
Hi Pepe,
This is the caterpillar of one of the Silkmoths in the genus Syssphinx, but there are least 19 species and subspecies in Mexico according to the World’s Largest Saturniidae website, and many have remarkably similar looking Caterpillars, so we are reluctant to attempt to identify the species. We have contacted Bill Oehlke to see if he is able to provide more specific information. Here is a link to BugGuide to what might be your caterpillar, Syssphinx hubbardi, Hubbard’s Small Silkmoth. It should also be noted that the green organic chunks you mentioned are caterpillar droppings, and they are an excellent indication that Caterpillars are feeding on the leaves. Also the coloration of your Caterpillar indicates that it is pre-pupal, and it is most likely seeking a location to bury itself to metamorphose into the pupa.
I would say your absolutely right. That’s the guy. Maybe I’ll shovel em up and stick them on some dirt somewhere’s. ( The amount of droppings is astounding last 4/5 days)!
Thanks mucho.
Found on grapevine in Southern AZ
Location: Southern Arizona SE Tucson PIma county
August 3, 2011 3:18 pm
We have an infestation of what seem to be caterpillars. They start out very small and grow to be pretty hearty looking caterpillars with light green/yellow, and purple bands. They are only on the grape vine in the backyard and have not gone to any other plant in the yard. I hate to harm them but they are killing the vine. Any idea what they may be? Thank you!
Signature: Thankful for your time, Ashley Goode
Western Grape Leaf Skeletonizers
Hi Ashley,
We believe you would be justified in removing these Western Grape Leaf Skeletonizers, Harrisina metallica, from your grape vine. According to BugGuide: “Adults emerge and lay eggs on leaves soon after bud-break in spring. Early instars feed gregariously on undersides of leaves which they skeletonize. Later instars spread out and may defoliate entire vineyards. Several generations per year.”
1
Wasp burying a worm
Location: Grants Pass, OR
August 4, 2011 12:57 pm
I took a series of pictures of a wasp digging a hole, burying a worm it dragged into teh hole and then covering the hole up. I know that the worm will be food for the larvae of this wasp, but I had never seen the process.
Are you at all interested in this series of photos? If so, I’d be happy to send them to you. I have included one as a sample.
Signature: Lucy
Thread-Waisted Wasp paralyzes Caterpillar
Hi Lucy,
This is a Thread-Waisted Wasp in the genus Ammophila (see BugGuide), and it is carrying back a Caterpillar for its brood, not a worm. If you want to attach a few more choice images, we can add to this posting.
Thread-Waisted Wasp seals nest
Of course, you’re right – it’s a caterpillar. I’m going to buy your book so I won’t be so casual about worm v. caterpillar!
I hope someone finds these pictures to be interesting. It’s so amazing what’s going on at our feet and all around if we’ll just stop a minute and take a look. Thank you for your site. I appreciate the work you do!
Lucy
Thread-Waisted Wasp inspects nest
Hi again Lucy,
Thank you so much for supplying additional images. We believe your Thread-Waisted Wasp looks like this unidentified species in the genus Ammophila that is posted to BugGuide. It is from Oregon, but insects don’t really recognize borders identified by humans.
unidentified bug
Location: Midwest North America
August 2, 2011 2:53 pm
Hi,
I am from Bradley, IL. It is the beginning of August and we have these little ”pods” or ”pine cone” looking sacks all over our pine tree in the back yard. They have a small ”worm like” animal inside and attach themselves to anything that is stationary. The outside of the ”pod” is camouflaged to match the berries on the tree.
Signature: Thanks, Anna
Evergreen Bagworm
Hi Anna,
We absolutely love that you have documented an Evergreen Bagworm, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (see BugGuide), that has incorporated berries into its bag. Bagworms are moth caterpillars that use leaves and twigs from the plants that they feed upon to construct a bag that protects them from predators and the elements. The Bagworm will eventually attach the bag to a stem, fence or wall, seal the bag and pupate inside. Only male Bagworm Moths have wings. Females are legless and wingless and they do not leave the bag. The male mates with an immobile female who then lays eggs in the bag as well.
¶ Posted 04 August 2011 § Bagworm ‡ ° Caterpillars
Location: Clarks Summit,Pennsylvania
August 3, 2011 11:00 am
one of my friends found this at their house.I think it’s a luna moth caterpillar,but they are green not red.
Signature: Joey M
Pre-Pupal Luna Moth Caterpillar
Hi Joey,
You are correct that this is a Luna Moth Caterpillar. Many caterpillars change color, often darkening, just prior to pupation. This is a pre-pupal Luna Moth Caterpillar.
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