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Bagworm

Destructive Catepillar – NJ
Hi,
This Catepillar took down an Arborvite in a matter of days.  Their cocoons have blown all around in the wind and they are spreading fast.
Can you tell me what we are dealing with here, Southern NJ, zip 08086…
Kevin

bagworm kevin 300x239 Bagworm

Bagworm

Hi Kevin,
This is a Bagworm in the family Psychidae.  The caterpillars of the Bagworms construct a protective covering from plant material, generally the plant material that they feed upon.  In the case of your photograph, that is probably the leaves of the Arborvite.  You can read more about Bagworms on BugGuide where the life cycle is briefly described as:  “Larvae (bagworms) construct spindle-shaped bags covered with pieces of twigs, leaves, etc., and remain in them — enlarging the bags as they grow — until they pupate (also in the bag). Adult females remain in the bag, emitting pheromones which attract adult males to mate with them.  Eggs are laid inside the bag, and when they hatch the larvae crawl away to begin construction of their own individual cases.“

Posted 28 June 2010 § Bagworm ‡ Comments (0) °
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar

Caterpillar with “eyes.”
June 27, 2010
From what I’ve found on your site, I think this caterpillar may be related to the Tersa Sphinx Moth. However, the one that I found didn’t have a horn. Is it a different species in the same family? It was found crawling on a wall in Shreveport, Louisiana on May 28th, 2010.
Michael M.
Shreveport, LA

tiger swallowtail cat michael 300x183 Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar

Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar

Hi Michael,
There are many caterpillars that have protective coloration that includes eyespots.  This is not a Sphinx Caterpillar, but rather a Swallowtail Butterfly Caterpillar, most likely the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail which is pictured on BugGuide.

3

Posted 27 June 2010 § swallowtail caterpillars ‡ Comments (0) °

Viceroy Caterpillar, not Red Spotted Purple Caterpillar

Mystery Caterpillar on Curly/Corkscrew Willow
June 23, 2010
There are quite a few of these on a curly willow in my yard in Central Arkansas, USA. Just noticed them today (June 23). They’re munching out on the willow… there are some others that are a darker brown color, but otherwise look the same. Any ideas?
Amy The Bug Girl
Little Rock, AR, USA

red spotted purple cat amy 300x233 Viceroy Caterpillar, not Red Spotted Purple Caterpillar

Viceroy Caterpillar

Hi Amy,
This is a Red Spotted Purple Caterpillar, Limenitis arthemis.  BugGuide has a fine example that documents the metamorphosis of the caterpillar to an adult.

Yay! I am so excited!
I usually get monarchs on my butterfly weed, so I’m excited to have a new visitor on the willow this year!
What’s funny is, the willow was in a flower arrangment that I got in the early spring – just the bare, curly twigs.  It started to root & leaf out, and I hated to throw it out, so I just stuck it down in some planters outside & it’s been very happy there! I’m glad it’s proven to be a host plant for such a beautiful butterfly.
Thanks for your quick reply!
Amy

Correction:
Imposter! Actually, it was a Viceroy!
July 3, 2010
Hi Bugman,
I sent you a question that you kindly answered back on June 24, about a mystery caterpillar on the curly willow in our yard. We’d determined it was a Red Spotted Purple (and it did look just like that caterpillar). Well, imagine my surprise when I went out into the garden early this morning to find a dozen+ VICEROY butterflies! I am attaching some photos for you icon smile Viceroy Caterpillar, not Red Spotted Purple Caterpillar
Amy The Bug Girl
Little Rock, AR, USA

viceroy amy 2 300x271 Viceroy Caterpillar, not Red Spotted Purple Caterpillar
Viceroy: Newly Metamorphosed

Hi Amy,
First, we apologize for our misidentification of your Viceroy Caterpillar last month.  In our defense, the Viceroy, Limenitis archippus, and the Red Spotted Purple, Limenitis arthemis astyanax, are in the same genus and their caterpillars look very similar.  We especially like that your one photo shows the Chrysalis below the newly emerged adult butterfly.  It is also wonderful that you provided us with views of both the open and closed wings.

viceroy amy 300x219 Viceroy Caterpillar, not Red Spotted Purple Caterpillar

Viceroy

Helpful Comment
Viceroy vs Red-spotted Purple caterpillars
July 3, 2010
Photos partly down this page shows the difference between the two caterpillars. http://www.butterflyfunfacts.com/butterflysimilarities.php
Viceroy caterpillars have more spikes on their humps on their backs. Red Spotted-purple caterpillar have very minimal humps on their backs.
Love your site!
Edith Smith

Posted 24 June 2010 § brush footed butterfly caterpillars ‡ Comments (1) °
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Cinnabar Moth Caterpillars

Unknown Yellow and Black Caterpillar
June 19, 2010
I took pictures of this in July 2009 behind my apartments at the powerlines. I am rather new to macro photography and find bugs a interesting subject.
I have been unable to identify this one. He has sparse hair as you can see in 3rd picture and is a yellow/orange and black stripped.
There was literally thousands of them among the plants of various types.
Keith98058
Renton, Washington

cinnabar cat keith 2 300x206 Cinnabar Moth Caterpillars

Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar

Hi Keith,
These are Cinnabar Moth Caterpillars, Tyria jacobaeae, a European species that according to BugGuide was:  “Introduced from Europe as a control for introduced weedy Ragwort, the host plant for its caterpillars, which is toxic to livestock.“  BugGuide also indicates:  “Larvae feed on Senecio jacobaea. HOSTS database also lists Salt-marsh Fleabane (Pluchea odorata), Hound’s-tongue (Cynoglossum officinale), Hops (Humulus lupulus) and Sow Thistle (Sonchus oleraceus).“

cinnabar cat keith 300x206 Cinnabar Moth Caterpillars

Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar

The Weed Species website pictures Tansy Ragwort, Senecio jacobaea, and it looks like the plant your caterpillar specimens are feeding upon.

cinnabar cats keith 300x206 Cinnabar Moth Caterpillars

Cinnabar Moth Caterpillars

Thank you so much for the reply, I really do appreciate the in-depth answer.  It never ceases to amaze me all of the non native species that were introduced to control one problem or another.
Keith

Posted 23 June 2010 § Woolly Bears ‡ Comments (0) °

Io Moth Caterpillar

Caterpillar
June 14, 2010
I found this lying under some ivy…check all the sources I usually do on-line without any success. Hope you can help me!
ESP:
Austin, Texas

io cat esp 300x137 Io Moth Caterpillar

Io Moth Caterpillar

Hi ESP,
Beware the stinging spines of the Io Moth Caterpillar, as an encounter can be quite painful.  We are postdating your letter to go live on our website next week since we are going to be away from the office for a week and we want to have daily postings while we are away.

Posted 22 June 2010 § Silkworms ‡ Comments (0) °

Variegated Fritillary Caterpillar and Chrysalides

Spiky orange caterpillar
June 9, 2010
Sending one more picture that might be a little less fuzzy. — My daughter and I found these caterpillars crawling all over the pansies last week. We put them in a bug keeper and all but one have cocooned. They are about one inch long, with orange and white stripes and black spikes. One of the cocoons is in the background of the picture. It is greenish-gray with orange spots. Any idea what they are? Thanks so much!
Kim and Katie (age 4)
Dallas, TX

variegated fritillary cats chrysalis kim 300x251 Variegated Fritillary Caterpillar and Chrysalides

Variegated Fritillary Caterpillar and Chrysalides

Hi Kim and Katy,
It appears that your third caterpillar is also about to form a chrysalis.  These are the immature forms of the Variegated Fritillary, Euptoieta claudia, and in a few weeks, you should be treated to the emergence of lovely orange butterflies.  You can see images of the adult butterfly on BugGuide.  BugGuide indicates the following food plants:  “Larvae feed on Passionvine (Passiflora), Violets & Pansy (Viola, Flax Linum, Moonseed (Menispermum), Mayapple (Podophyllum), Stonecrop (Sedum), Purslane (Portulaca) and others. Adults are fond of flowers, and especially seem to like Thistles and yellow Composites. They also frequently visit damp ground.“  Since we will be out of the office between June 15 and June 23, we are presetting a few letters to post during our absence so that our readership will continue to get daily updates.  You letter is set to post live to our website on June 22.

Posted 22 June 2010 § brush footed butterfly caterpillars ‡ Comments (0) °

Abbott’s Sphinx Caterpillar

What is this caterpiller?
June 13, 2010
We found this caterpiller while hiking at amicollola Falls, georgia.It was brightly colored teal and brown and alsoa little agressive. Please help identify. I cannot find anywhere.
Stacy Miles
North georgia

abbotts sphinx cat stacy 300x215 Abbotts Sphinx Caterpillar

Abbott's Sphinx Caterpillar

Hi Stacy,
This is one of several color variations, known as morphs, for the caterpillar of the Abbott’s Sphinx, Sphecodina abbottii, a species that is profiled on BugGuide.

Posted 13 June 2010 § Hornworms ‡ Comments (0) °

Unknown Caterpillar on Grape may be Eight Spotted Forrester

What Larvae is This?
June 10, 2010
I’d like to know what moth or butterfly caterpillar this is. It’s on a grape vine and is a little over an inch long.
Jayne Wilson
Houston area, Texas

caterpillar grape jayne 300x238 Unknown Caterpillar on Grape may be Eight Spotted Forrester

Probably Eight Spotted Forrester Caterpillar

Hi Jayne,
We know we have seen images of this Moth Caterpillar in the past, but we cannot recall what it is.  It superficially resembles the caterpillars of the Grape Leaf Skeletonizers in the genus Harrisina pictured on BugGuide, but that is not a correct identification.  We are going to post your photo and letter and we hope that our readership can assist in the identification.  Though your photograph is quite lovely the way you have composed it, we cropped it to more closely concentrate on the caterpillar.

Thanks for the response, Daniel. I’ll check back to see if anyone has more info.
Jayne

Karl provides some information
Hi Daniel and Jayne:
This caterpillar probably looks familiar to you because it looks similar to several that have been posted on WTB before. It looks a lot like a Fruit-Piercing Moth (Noctuidae) in the genus Gonodonta, but all the white hairs on the body suggest it is likely another Noctuid, a day-flying Forester Moth in the genus Alypia. Many of these moth caterpillars look quite similar and the head and tail regions are not visible in Jayne’s photo, but I think it is likely an Eight-Spotted Forester (Alypia octomaculata), previously posted by Laura in 2007. You can use the WTB search function to also find numerous images of adults. There are many good caterpillar images on the internet, like this one on pbase. Eight-Spotted Forester caterpillars feed on grapes and Virginia Creeper. I can’t say for certain that that is the genus, but that I am pretty sure that Alypia is the correct genus. Regards.
Karl

Now I’ve had a chance to look at photos of the moth — I think I can confirm that it is an Eight Spotted Forester.  I remember seeing what I took to be a black butterfly with white spots on the Star Jasmine a month or so back.  It looked exactly like the photos I found online.
Thanks, Jayne

Jayne provides photos of imago Eight Spotted Forrester
June 11, 2010
I’m attaching some photos that I took at the end of May that I thought were of butterflies.  Now I know they were Eight-Spotted Forester Moths.
Thanks for posting my original caterpillar photo, and to Karl for providing more information.
Jayne Wilson

eight spotted forrester jayne 300x268 Unknown Caterpillar on Grape may be Eight Spotted Forrester

Eight Spotted Forrester

Posted 11 June 2010 § Cutworms and Owlet Caterpillars § Owlet Moths ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged:

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