Thought you’d like these pix of winter moth larvae (Operophtera brumata)
Sun, May 17, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Here in eastern Massachusetts we are having a horrible infestation of winter moths for the 3rd or 4th year. Each year they get worse, and the damage to the trees around here is greater and greater. I know that you think that there’s no such thing as a bad bug, but I’m having a hard time finding good in these guys. My car is covered in their feces and the driveway has a thick slippery coating of caterpillar poop.
Anyway, we had a rain last night and quite a few got knocked out of the trees and took refuge under our cars. Not sure why they all huddled together, perhaps for warmth. It was not a pretty site when I backed the car out of the driveway…
G. Glater
Natick, MA
Winter Moth Caterpillars
Dear G.,
We needed to do a bit of research on the Winter Moth. BugGuide hasn’t much information on the species, and indicates of the genus: “small geometers with banded brown forewings and plain whitish hindwings. Range southern Canada and northern United States (extends further south in the Appalachians and Rockies) “ BugGuide has no images of the caterpillars. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Introduced Insects Page indicates: “Adult moths emerge in late November and can be active into January under the right weather conditions.” The University of Massachusetts Green Info page has a pdf on the winter_moth that indicates the species was introduced from Europe. In its own natural habitat, the Winter Moth Caterpillars probably have natural predators that feed upon them. It is also possible that in Europe, there are periodic outbreaks that result in a necessary food source for other animals. Thanks for sending your awesome images of this outbreak of an introduced invasive exotic species.
Winter Moth Caterpillars
the curious case of the hornet in the daytime
Wed, May 13, 2009 at 11:33 AM
I was at a bus stop and saw this winged insect which came walking along pulling what appears to be a caterpillar or larvae. It kept walking for a whole block with it in tow. At one point, the end of the green insect caught on some debris and stretched as if stuck or clinging. I’m curious to know what these insects are, what they were doing, how it was being carried, and where they could’ve possibly been going. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks!
Jongela
Czech Republic
Sand Digger Wasp dragging Caterpillar
Dear Jongela,
Though we cannot tell you the exact identity of the Wasp nor the Caterpillar, we can tell you that many wasps prey upon caterpillars to feed them to the larval wasps. This is behavior often seen in social wasps like hornets and yellowjackets. Many times the wasp will skin the caterpillar and fly off to the nest with manageable sections of the caterpillar. The wasp will “cut” the caterpillar into chunks small enough to fly away with. The fact that this particular wasp is dragging an entire caterpillar inclines us to suspect that perhaps the caterpillar has been paralyzed and will provide a living food source for a developing wasp larva. The adult wasp may provision a nest with living paralyzed caterpillars, laying an egg on each. Perhaps additional research on our part or the input of one of our readers will provide an accurate identification and explanation. A few minutes of searching led us to the Garden Safari Wasp page that revealed this to be a Sand Digger Wasp, Ammophila sabulosa.
Beautiful Blue Bug
Sun, May 10, 2009 at 1:44 PM
These blue fellows showed up in late April, proceeded to make a love shack of my grapevines, and disappeared shortly after. A couple of weeks later my vines are covered with these cute, little yellow and black caterpillars. I’m assuming the two are related but I can’t seem to find them on any of the internet searches I’ve done.
Thanks for any info, Rebecca
Mesa, AZ
Western Grape Leaf Skeletonizer
Hi Rebecca,
We are so happy to have your photos of the adult moth as well as caterpillars of the Western Grape Leaf Skeletonizer, Harrisina metallica , in the same letter. According to BugGuide it is: “Native to southwestern USA and northern Mexico. Occurs from California to Texas, north to Colorado and Utah ” and “Larvae are a severe pest in some California vineyards.” A very similar species, the Grape Leaf Skeletonizer, Harrisina americana, is found in the eastern U.S.
Western Grape Leaf Skeletonizer Caterpillars
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Neon Green Caterpillar Fri, May 8, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Hi
I found this caterpillar under a leaf in a forested area near my home. I’ve never seen a neon coloured caterpillar like this before. Could this be a stinging slug caterpillar? I’m pondering as I live in Singapore, and so far all the documentation I’ve read about stinging slugs don’t come from this area of the world. Thanks!
Jeremiah
Singapore
Stinging Slug Caterpillar
Hi Jeremiah,
This is certainly a Stinging Slug Caterpillar in the family Limacodidae . While we are not certain of the species identification, perhaps one of our readers will write in with an answer.
Lime Green Caterpillars munching on Cassia Tree
Thu, May 7, 2009 at 11:48 AM
I have been trying to identify the lime green caterpillars currently munching on my recently transplanted Cassia Excelsa Tree. I saw the pictures on your site referring to the Cloudless Sulpher caterpillar and how it can be yellow or green depending on it eating the leaves or the flowers of the Cassia but I don’t think they are Cloudless Sulphers.The body structure of the caterpillar pictures I am sending is similar to the Cloudless but the striping on the side is much different. The Cloudless Sulpher appears to have more of a black banding around it. The caterpillars I have look to have a black short stripe sandwiching four longer stripes and then another short stripe. Also the head of the caterpillar is the entirely lime green with no black at all.Thank you for help.
JRS
Tampa Bay Area – Florida
Orange Barred Sulphur Caterpillar
Dear JRS,
Your caterpillar is definitely a Sulphur in the genus Phoebis. We believe it to be a close relative of the Cloudless Sulphur, the Orange Barred Sulphur, Phoebis philea. There is a photo posted to BugGuide that looks very similar to your specimen.
Orange Barred Sulphur Caterpillar
Bug found on Lemon Tree in AZ
May 2, 2009 at 12:57 PM
We found this bug on a leaf of our Lemon Tree. What is it? Is it harmful to humans? Is it harmful to the tree or other vegetation? Do we need to spray the tree or other plants?
Stan
SW – Scottsdale, AZ
Orange Dog
Hi Stan,
This is the caterpillar of a beautiful butterfly, the Giant Swallowtail. The caterpillar is commonly called an Orange Dog and it mimics bird droppings to avoid getting eaten. The caterpillar will eat some leaves, but will do no lasting harm to your tree. You should not spray your tree because of the Orange Dog. The Orange Dog is not harmful to humans, but if you provoke it, you will be treated to seeing the osmetrium emerge. The osmetrium is a scent organ resembling two orange horns and it gives off an odor to repel its attacker.
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