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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

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 § moth caterpillars ‡ 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) °
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

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) °

Monarch Caterpillar: Metamorphosis into Chrysalis

chrysalis formation of monarch caterpillar
September 14, 2009
Hi! A few weeks ago, my kids and I collected some monarch eggs and caterpillars from a local park. After weeks of collecting fresh milkweed every day and watching the caterpillars grow, we were rewarded by seeing them turn into beautiful green chrysalids. One morning, we happened to be watching when a caterpillar started to shed its skin to reveal the green chrysalis underneath. I took some photos of the process that I thought you might like to see. It took about four minutes for the caterpillar to become a pupa. So far, five of the butterflies have emerged and been released. We have two more that should emerge in a few days. We are already looking forward to raising monarchs again next summer, and even plan to tag them for the Monarch Watch program.
Thanks for such an awesome website! We are big fans!
The Ganino Family
Madison, CT

Monarch Caterpillar Metamorphosis

Monarch Caterpillar Metamorphosis

Dear Ganino Family,
Thanks for the awesome images showing the transformation of the Monarch Caterpillar to the Chrysalis.  Your first image shows the caterpillar skin splitting and the second image shows the Chrysalis while it still maintains the more elongated shape of the caterpillar.

Monarch Chrysalis Metamorphosis

Monarch Chrysalis Metamorphosis

Posted 15 September 2009 § brush footed butterfly caterpillars ‡ Comments (0) °

Swallowtail Caterpillars: Black or Anise Swallowtails???

i can has parsley?
September 14, 2009
I was at my Grandmother’s today and I grabbed a quick shot of these guys chowing down.  I believe I’ve correctly identified them via your site (because your description specifically mentions parsley!)
I hope you like this group shot of what I believe are Anise Swallowtail Caterpillars.
iphone photo:
Here’s my flickr entry:
Thanks for maintaining such a great site,
Casey

Black Swallowtail Caterpillars? or Anise Swallowtail Caterpillars???

Black Swallowtail Caterpillars? or Anise Swallowtail Caterpillars???

Hi Casey,
Since you did not provide a location, we are not certain if these are Black Swallowtails or Anise Swallowtails.  The caterpillars look very similar and both will feed on parsley.  If you live in the central to eastern states, these are Black Swallowtails.  If you are west of the Rocky Mountains, they are Anise Swallowtails.

Thanks.
I live in Georgia so they would be Black Swallowtails.
Thanks guys.

Posted 14 September 2009 § swallowtail caterpillars ‡ 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) °

Sphinx Caterpillar, probably Erinnyis ello

What kind of butterfly or moth is this caterpillarit?
September 10, 2009
We have a buttlerfly garden and while weeding in an overgrown area we came across several blue green on top and green on underside caterpillars. They had 1 horn on the tail that is not deadly and when touched, it was soft not hard. Has single yellowgreen strip down each side with strip becoming white as it nears head area on sides. Has 2 small black spots encircled in yellow/white on upper back with a red spot on the side next to each black spot. Measures 3.5 – 4.0 inches. No fur, very smooth skin texture. No ripples or contours on body. We searched our field guide and the web with no results. Also posted picture on face book with no positive results.
Any help would be appreciated., Thanks, Ken Jewett
South Florida, United States

Ello Sphinx Caterpillars

Ello Sphinx Caterpillars

Hi Ken,
These are Sphinx Moth Caterpillars in the genus Erinnyis, most probably Erinnyis ello, the Ello Sphinx, based on photos on Bill Oehlke’s awesome website.  We would not entirely discount the possibility that it might be Erinnyis alope, also pictured on Bill Oehlke’s website.  Sphinx Moth Caterpillars are called Hornworms.  Here is a list of food plants that Bill Oehlke associates with the Ello Sphinx:  “Larvae feed on papaya (Carica papaya) in the Caricaceae family and on Cnidoscolus angustidens and other plants in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) including poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), guava (Psidium species) in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) and on also saffron plum (Bumelia angustifolia/Bumelia celastrina) in the Sapotaceae family. : EUPHORBIACEAE. Manilkara bahamensis has also been reported as a host as have Willow Bustic (Bumelia salicifolia) and Painted Leaf (Poinsettia heterophylla).“

Posted 11 September 2009 § Hornworms ‡ Comments (0) °

Mexican Swallowtail Caterpillar

What’s That Bug?
September 8, 2009
in the back yard under a ovacado tree
not sure
from jalisco mexico

Swallowtail Caterpillar

Swallowtail Caterpillar

Dear not sure,
This is a Swallowtail Butterfly Caterpillar “in the ‘ Pyrrhosticta ‘ group of Papilio swallowtails — P. cleotas ,P. garamas ,P. victorinus , etc.” as previously identified on our site by Keith Wolfe.  The red horns are a defense organ known as the osmetrium that releases an odor some predators find offensive.

Posted 09 September 2009 § swallowtail caterpillars ‡ Comments (1) °

Northern Ash Sphinx, early instar

Orange-Red Caterpillar with horn
September 7, 2009
Hi,
We found this in the yard today. I believe it is some type of Hornworm, but I can’t find any hornworms that are orange or red. It is currently munching on the leaf from an Ash tree.
Carrin W.
SE Michigan

Northern Ash Sphinx Caterpillar: early instar we believe

Northern Ash Sphinx Caterpillar: early instar

Dear Carrin,
Based on the food plant you indicated, we are guessing that this might be the caterpillar of the Northern Ash Sphinx, Sphinx chersis.  It is an early instar, meaning its appearance can change greatly.  Bill Oehlke’s Northern Ash Sphinx page does not show early instar larvae.  We will copy Bill Oehlke on this response to see if he can clarify the species.

Daniel,
I think you might be correct!  I look forward to Bill’s response.
Carrin

Daniel,
Yes it is the ash sphinx which can be quite red or green in various instars. Edna Bottorff of Oregon, recently sent me images of earlier instars showing red and green forms and I will post them shortly.
Bill Oehlke

Posted 08 September 2009 § Hornworms ‡ Comments (0) °

Monkey Slug Caterpillar

strange little creature, moves like slug, orange color, appears to looks kind of fuzzy
September 4, 2009
While outside earlier I had bent down to pick something up, and out of the corner of my eye. I saw something fall. I looked over and it appeared as if a bloom had fallen off of an Indian Jewelweed…until I saw it moving! It had landed on top of a little stone, so my hubby picked it up (while it was on the stone) so I could get a couple of pictures of it. If anyone has any idea what this is, I’d really like to know. As I mentioned in the subject line, it is an orage color, and when looking at it in the pics, it appears to look ‘fuzzy’ ~ it’s movement is much like that of a slug because it seems to ’suction’ to things and crawl across. if by chance you know what this is, how could we care for it here for a few days? My daughter is in the 11th grade and has just started her ‘Zoology’ class ~ she’d love to take it in to show her teacher! (It’s Labor Day weeked, so school won’t be in session for three days.) We don’t want to harm it in anyway…it is so very interesting. Any help is much appreciated! Thank you.
Barbara M.
Fayette County, WV

Monkey Slug Caterpillar

Monkey Slug Caterpillar

Dear Barbara,
Handle this Monkey Slug Caterpillar, Phobetron pithecium, with care.  It is not an aggressive species, but careless handling might cause skin contact with the stinging hairs.  The Monkey Slug Caterpillar is the larval form of the Hag Moth and you may read more on BugGuide which indicates:  “Larvae feed on broad-leaved trees and shrubs, including oaks, cherries.“

Well, who knew? Not I! Thank you so much for answering my question, I had never seen anything quite like that before! Thanks, also, for the link you sent and informing that it stings! Have a wonderful weekend!
Barbara

Posted 05 September 2009 § Stinging Slug Caterpillars ‡ Comments (0) °

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