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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Another Unicorn or False Unicorn Caterpillar

Caterpillar found in blueberry bushes
September 23, 2009
I found this caterpillar taking a ride on my son’s shirt during an early morning of blueberry picking. I took its picture on my finger to show the size, and then we happily set it back onto a blueberry bush. I can’t find an identification for it. Thank you!
Nichole
Michigan (Ann Arbor area) in the summer (end of August)

Unicorn Caterpillar, or imposter???

Unicorn Caterpillar, or imposter???

Hi Nichole,
Interestingly, we just finished posting another photo of a Unicorn Caterpillar, or False Unicorn Caterpillar from the genus Schizura.  Your photo with the translucent talon, we mean fingernail, is awesome.

Unicorn Caterpillar? or False Unicorn Caterpillar??

Unicorn Caterpillar? or False Unicorn Caterpillar??

Posted 24 September 2009 § Prominent Moth Caterpillars ‡ Comments (0) °

Red Hump Caterpillar

Caterpillar on Western Redbud
September 21, 2009
Caterpillar on Western Redbud
2 feeding this afternoon in the hot California sun
J serences
Carmichael CA Central Valley

Red Hump Caterpillar

Red Hump Caterpillar

Hi J,
We believe this to be a Red Hump Caterpillar, Schizura concinna, a species of Prominent Moth.  The caterpillars, according to BugGuide:  “feed on a wide range of woody plants.“

Posted 24 September 2009 § Prominent Moth Caterpillars ‡ Comments (0) °

Unicorn Caterpillar? or False Unicorn Caterpillar, perhaps??

Unicorn Caterpillar
September 23, 2009
Was walking with the 2 year old in the swamp park in Southern Illinois today and found a strange looking caterpillar. Some research has it as a Schizura unicornis (I think…do they eat oak?).
The camouflage was strikingly good from some angles, the green “window” in its mid-section is exactly as translucent as leaves with the sun behind them.
Thought you might like some pictures.
Bert in Illinois
Southern Illinois

Possibly Unicorn Caterpillar

Possibly Unicorn Caterpillar

Dear Bert,
BugGuide lists the food plants of the Unicorn Caterpillar as:  “alder, apple, Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides), White Birch (Betula papyrifera), elm, hawthorn, hickory, willow“, while the closely related and similar looking Morning Glory Prominent or False Unicorn Caterpillar has its food plants listed as:  “leaves of beech, birch, elm, maple, morning-glory, oak, rose, and other woody plants” on BugGuide.  We would entertain the possibility that the list of plants for the Unicorn Caterpillar might be incomplete, and that your caterpillar might be either species.

Posted 24 September 2009 § Prominent Moth Caterpillars ‡ Comments (0) °
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Tobacco Budworm? or some other caterpillar???

Heliothis virescens
September 22, 2009
Hi,
Well, the yard has exploded with moths, butterflies and caterpillars – counted 11 black swallowtail cats on the dill and parsley, with countless eggs still to hatch, and found 2 empty chrysallises on the porch rail and landscape timbers in the yard. The snaps are full of Buckeye caterpillars which go nicely with the Buckeye flag hanging from the porch (it’s football!! Go Bucks!!) While inspecting the dill, I found this pink striped caterpillar on the Russian sage that’s planted next to the dill (and under the Ohio State flag). It’s been at least 3 days of searching but I think this comes close to BugGuide’s Tobacco Budworm – the description says it tends to take on the color of the plant it’s eating. It was also getting close to sunset, so the light and the flowers on the Russian sage really helped hide this one. Please feel free to correct the ID – I think we’ve looked at over 8 million pictures of pink caterpillars since Saturday night. Thanks!
Kathleen Haines
Newport News, VA (southeastern VA)

Tobacco Budworm

Tobacco Budworm??

Dear Kathleen,
We love the enthusiasm in the tone of your letter.  This looks like it may be a Tobacco Budworm, but we are not certain.  We will post your letter and image and link to the BugGuide page on the species in the hopes that an expert can provide some input.

Tobacco Budworm??

Tobacco Budworm??

Daniel,
Thanks so much!  I’d actually already been to your site before going to my email and was delighted to see the pictures already there.  You all are terrific and do such a good job!
My daughter is an elementary school art teacher and brought her school’s science teacher over yesterday to “harvest” some caterpillars from the yard.  They took 3 or 4 black swallowtail caterpillars, then went to the local garden center and picked up a few dill plants and are hoping to be able to follow the caterpillar to butterfly saga all the way through.  They also found a fuzzy tan caterpillar out on the green cones – the guy looks like he needs a serious day with a hairstylist – that we’re working on identifying.  And this morning, the snaps were covered with at least a dozen Common Buckeye caterpillars.  It’s all just a great reward for planting for butterflies!
Thanks again for your great site and all the good work you do.
Kathy Haines
Southeastern Virginia

Posted 23 September 2009 § Owlet Caterpillars ‡ Comments (0) °

Rustic Sphinx Caterpillar

Xylophanes Pluto Moth
September 19, 2009
Here is a photo of the X-Pluto Moth in it’s Green stage at night hanging from a leaf on a Texas Lilac Tree in Garland Texas 9-19-09
Tom Stovall
Garland, TX

Rustic Sphinx Caterpillar

Rustic Sphinx Caterpillar

Hi Tom,
Your photo is quite wonderful and it illustrates this Sphinx Caterpillar in its classic pose that resulted in the name sphinx.  We disagree with your identification.  We believe this is a Rustic Sphinx Caterpillar, Manduca rustica.  The best method for identifying both Sphinx Caterpillars and the adult moths, we believe, is to scan the images on Bill Oehlke’s Sphingidae of the Americas website.  The site has the option of viewing by individual states, so you are able to just search for species found in Texas.  Using that method, we identified your Rustic Sphinx Caterpillar on Bill’s website.

Posted 20 September 2009 § Hornworms ‡ Comments (0) °

Skiff Moth Caterpillar

Pupa in leaf cocoon
September 19, 2009
Saw this on the stalk of a sapling at Wallops Park in Accomack County on the Eastern Shore of VA on Sept. 19, ‘09. It’s about the size of a periwinkle (1-1.5″). When I brushed the plant and it fell off, it clamped on to a pine shat. I guess it’s a caterpillar of some kind that makes its cocoon out of leaves, but haven’t been able to make a specific ID. I’ve been walking this trail almost every day for the past 17 years, and have never seen anything like it. Any info you can offer would be appreciated. Thanks.
Linda Cuttone
Wallops Park, Accomack County, Eastern Shore of VA

Skiff Moth Caterpillar

Skiff Moth Caterpillar

Hi Linda,
We posted a photo of a Skiff Moth Caterpillar yesterday morning, and you must have overlooked it when you logged onto our website before submitting your question.

Skiff Moth Caterpillar

Skiff Moth Caterpillar

Posted 20 September 2009 § Stinging Slug Caterpillars ‡ Comments (0) °

Parnip Webworm

Caterpillar “nesting” in closed Queen Anne’s Lace – not Black Swallowtail
September 17, 2009
Last week (Sept. 13, 3009), out of curiousity, I opened up some Queen Anne’s Lace “nests” – i.e., the closed cup-like shape that the blooms take as they go to seed. About 1/3 of the nests had one of these small caterpillars in it. They were usually resting on or underneath a small silk pad, slightly larger than their bodies. The “nests” were full of frass, and it felt as if a bit of silk was being used to help keep the cup of the bloom closed more tightly than those without caterpillars inhabiting them.
All searches of “caterpillar, Queen Anne’s Lace” bring up the black swallowtail, but none of them seem to mention this caterpillar.
The closest I’ve come to identifying it is a picture of a Nettle-Tap Moth caterpillar. The Nettle-Tap Moth is found in England, which is the same place that Queen Anne’s Lace originated from, so it’s not impossible that that’s what this is. However, I can find no mention of it as a host plant. The nettle (of course) is what’s always mentioned.
This must be a fairly common caterpillar if it’s so easy to find. Can you help me identify it? Thank you.
I’m enclosing closeups of two caterpillars and one larger view which includes my thumbnail, for scale. The first caterpillar is smaller than the second, and may be an earlier instar.
Thank you for your wonderful site!!!
Valerie
Lake Forest, IL

Parsnip Webworm

Parsnip Webworm

“Caterpillar “nesting” in Queen Anne’s Lace – NOT a Black Swallowtail
September 18, 2009
By searching “black spotted, caterpillar”, I found a caterpillar that has the same spot pattern my unknown one, but it can’t be right. It’s a Pickleworm (!). The only problem is that it’s a southern US caterpillar, and I live in Illinois. Apparently they don’t survive cold winters and they like squash, canteloupe, and cucumbers. No mention of Queen Anne’s Lace, but they do tend to go for the blossoms of their food plants.
Wait, wait… in some years they may reach Michigan. Hmmm…
Here’s a link with info: http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/pickleworm.htm
I’m attaching the photo that does resemble the caterpillar I found.
Valerie
Lake Forest

Hi Valerie,
This is a Parsnip Webworm, Depressaria pastinacella, which you can see on BugGuide.  We are not posting the found photo of the Pickleworm since you did not take it and since it is not your species.

Parsnip Webworm

Parsnip Webworm

Fantastic, and, considering the host plant, it makes a lot of sense.  Great work, and thank  you so very much!
I’m sorry, I didn’t expected you to print the photo I linked to; I was just including it in case it would help with the identification  Thank you for your quick and perfect ID.  Mystery solved!
Also, enjoying all the reactions to Ichneumons.  I saw my first one last year during a bicycle ride in the woods, and it certainly freaked me out at first.  Amazing that they can get those whip-thin ovipositors through the wood.
Many thanks from Illinois,
Valerie

Update and Correction
Caterpillar “nesting” in closed Queen Anne’s Lace – not Parsnip Webworm either (Part III)
September 25, 2009
Turns out the caterpillar in question isn’t exactly a Parsnip Webworm (as it was identiied in the Sept. 19, 2009 posting).
I wrote to May Berenbaum, an entomologist at University of Illinois who studies Parsnip Webworms, to ask her why she didn’t have Queen Anne’s Lace listed as a host plant in her papers, since that’s what I found this caterpillar on.
Turns out there’s “a new moth in town”, so to speak. Only recently identified as a newcomer to America, it is the Sitochroa Paelalis. Its larvae, of which there are few pics on the web (http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?id=3280), are only distinguishable from the Parsnip Webworm by experts, but the according to Dr. Berenbaum, the host plant and the time of year (most Parsnip Webworms finish their development by July, according to Dr. Berenbaum) help determine its identity.
Apparently it’s been spotted in Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. I’ll try submitting some photos of the larvae to the bugguide to round out their collection, if they’ll take it (http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=sitochroa+palealis).
I can’t thank you enough for this site and your help; I’d never have gotten to the right answer without you, and I’d never have gotten to write to a famous entomologist!
(p.s. You just know you’re begging for a smart aleck answer when you’re asked to prove your a human being by giving the color of snow! Didn’t you guys ever listen to Frank Zappa? *G*)
Valerie
Lake Forest, IL

Posted 19 September 2009 § ‡ Comments (0) °

Luna Moth Caterpillar

big neon green caterpillar
September 19, 2009
My husband and I found this 3 inch long almost an inch wide big neon green caterpillar eating peacon leaves.What kind of caterpillar is this and what will it turn into..
Barb claremont north carolina…
Claremont,North Carolina foothills.

Polyphemus Caterpillar

Luna Caterpillar

Hi Barb,
This is a Polyphemus Moth Caterpillar.  It will transform into a large beautiful moth.

Ed. Note:
Upon receiving a comment that this was a Luna Moth Caterpillar and not a Polyphemus Moth Caterpillar, we are amending our original identification.  The Luna Caterpillar is picture and described on BugGuide as “Larva lime-green with pink spots and weak subspiracular stripe on abdomen. Yellow lines cross the larva’s back near the back end of each segment (compare Polyphemus moth caterpillars, which have yellow lines crossing at spiracles). Anal proleg edged in yellow.(2) Sparse hairs.“  The Polyphemus Moth Caterpillar is described on BugGuide as:  “Larva: body large, bright green, with red and silvery spots below setae, and oblique yellow lines running through spiracles on abdomen; diagonal streak of black and silver on ninth abdominal segment; head and true legs brown; base of primary setae red, subdorsal and lateral setae have silver shading below; end of prolegs with yellow ring, and tipped in black.“

Posted 19 September 2009 § Silkworms ‡ Comments (2) °

Skiff Moth Caterpillars

Green, leaf-eating, slug-like insect
September 18, 2009
I found these two legless, hard-bodied slug-like insects eating my ornamental plum tree leaves. As you can see, the one on the right is shedding its skin. They look like little horseshoe crabs. I’ve never seen anything like them!
Holly Hanford Oliver
Southern New Hampshire

Skiff Moth Caterpillars

Skiff Moth Caterpillars

Hi Holly,
We doubt that these Skiff Moth Caterpillars, Prolimacodes badia, will ever be plentiful enough to damage your ornamental plum since they are small caterpillars and they will never be able to defoliate the tree.  Many members of this family, Limacodidae, have caterpillars with stinging spines, but the Skiff Moth Caterpillar is not one of those, so it is perfectly harmless.

Skiff Moth Caterpillar

Skiff Moth Caterpillar

Thanks, Daniel. These guys had me really baffled! I thought they might be some sort of exotic species. I’m not worried about my tree – there’s plenty to go around!
Thanks again,
Holly

Posted 19 September 2009 § Stinging Slug Caterpillars ‡ Comments (0) °

Rustic Sphinx Caterpillar

Large green/yellow hornworm?
September 17, 2009
I noticed that our forsythia plant appeared to have died, but upon closer inspection, found a large yellow/green critter on it. Can you help me Identify the caterpillar?
Brian
rock hill south carolina

Rustic Sphinx Caterpillar

Rustic Sphinx Caterpillar

Hi Brian,
We looked at all the possible Sphinx Caterpillar candidates found in South Carolina on Bill Oehlke’s website before deciding that the Rustic Sphinx, Manduca rustica, is the likeliest possiblity for your individual.  The real decisive factor is the food plant forsythia.  Forsythia is in the olive family Oleaceae, and the Rustic Sphinx Caterpillar feeds on the leaves of plants in that family.

Posted 18 September 2009 § Hornworms ‡ Comments (0) °

Catalpa Sphinx Caterpillar

Caterpillar
September 14, 2009
Found this guy about 2 years ago in Cleveland, Ohio Metroparks system. Gates Mills, Ohio to be exact. It was early fall and I found him sitting on a picnic table. I’ve tried to find his picture on the web but have not had much luck.
What is he?
Judy
Northeastern Ohio

Catalpa Sphinx Caterpillar

Catalpa Sphinx Caterpillar

Hi Judy,
This is the dark form of the variable caterpillar of the Catalpa Sphinx, Ceratomia catalpae, which can be seen on Bill Oehlke’s wonderful website.

Thank you soooo much…I hate having a picture of something and not knowing what it is!
Take care!

Posted 14 September 2009 § Hornworms ‡ Comments (0) °

Probably Waved Sphinx Caterpillar

4-5 inch worm/caterpillar
September 10, 2009
This was found in my sisters yard and we were just wondering what it was. We have never seen anything like this around here before. dont know how well the pictures will come out but its green with what looks like some reddish brown triangle shapes all along its back. it has very tiny spikes on its head and what looks like a hook that is very hard on the opposite end of it. its about 4-5 inches long and about the thickness of a cigar. when it was picked up with a plastic spoon it tried to stab the spoon with the “hook”. so maybe a little aggressive.
Cristin Morvant
Louisiana, USA

Waved Sphinx Caterpillar

Waved Sphinx Caterpillar

Hi Cristin,
This is a Sphinx Moth Caterpillar, known as a Hornworm.  It is most likely a Waved Sphinx, Ceratomia undulosa.  The green caterpillar, according to Bill Oehlke, takes on a rosy hue prior to pupation.

Posted 11 September 2009 § Hornworms ‡ Comments (2) °

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