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American Lady Caterpillar
(07/23/2007) American Lady Caterpillar?
Hi,
I think I've identified this caterpillar from your site as
an American Lady (post from S. Texas, May 2007). The
description in my Peterson's Eastern Butterflies seems to
confirm it. They are feeding on licorice plant (Helichrysum
petiolare) in a window box outside our living room window
in Kansas City. We've planted Helichrysum many times,
but first time we've seen these caterpillars on them.
Can you confirm the ID as an American Lady for me? Great site!
Keep up the good work.
Brett
Hi Brett,
We concur that this is an American Lady Caterpillar, Vanessa
virginiensis, and it exactly matches an image on BugGuide. Your high resolution, excellent quality photograph is a welcome addition to our site.
Spiny
Oak Slug Caterpillar
(07/23/2007) What kind of caterpiller am I looking at here?
Hey Bugman,
I found this little fellow munching away on a Cottonwood leaf
in my front yard in Indiana. I picked him up because he was
very pretty... What is he? What will he be? How can I take
care of him? Thanks,
Mo
Hi Mo,
This is a Spiny Oak Slug Caterpillar, Euclea delphinii. Despite
its common name, according to BugGuide
the: "larvae feed on leaves of apple, basswood, cherry, chestnut,
maple, oak, redbud, sycamore, willow, and other broad-leaved
woody plants". Following our BugGuide
link will show you photos of the adult as well as other
color variations of the caterpillar. Caterpillars don't require
much more care than a constant supply of leaves from the food
plant. You should exercise caution as this is a stinging caterpillar
and you can read more about it on the Auburn
University website.
Mourning
Cloak Metamorphosis
(07/22/2007) Mourning Cloak Butterfly
Hi WTB,
I just wanted to share with you and all of us "bug-sleuths"
my recent discovery. About a two months ago I began seeing thousands
of little black turds on my back porch under my chinese elm
tree. At first I was very concerned thinking that I may have
an infested tree. I suspected the turds were non mammalian
or avian due to the shape of the extrusion. They
were not round, but slightly squared and short in length.
My suspicions were proven correct when among the turds one
morning were a dried up caterpillar, too emaciated to get
a good identification. The identification came about a week
later when the caterpillars in my tree were on the move. I
spotted ten or so caterpillars that were spiny, charcoal grey
with red markings that were slightly diamond shape along the
back (see the picture).
They had apparently dropped from the tree and were making
their way up the walls of my house in order to find a place
to chrysalize. Once they found their chosen place, they attached
themselves and spun a light grey chrysalis. One thing I noticed
was that part of the caterpillar actually became discarded
in the process. I could not tell if the head or the tail of
the caterpillar lost out. Nonetheless, nature took its course,
and one morning, I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph one
of the butterflies just born, drying its wings in the sun.
While it is not a strikingly colorful specimen, it is nonetheless
a wonderful part of my backyard environment. Enjoy.
Bob K
Sunny San Diego, CA
Hi Bob,
What a wonderful account of Mourning Cloak metamorphosis.
During each stage of metamorphosis, the individual loses its
exoskeleton, hence the discarded chrysalis skin in the background
of your butterfly image. Mourning Cloaks are native to California,
and before the introduction of the Chinese Elm, a favorite
host tree, they fed on riparian willows that grow near stream
beds and rivers. This is a wide ranging species that is found
throughout North America and Europe in the Northern hemisphere.
Tersa Sphinx Caterpillar
(07/22/2007) Caterpillar ID Request
Dear Bugman:
I found the attached little guy eating my Pentas here in New
Orleans this morning. He had two others with him. Yesterday
I saw a similar one but he was more green. They all appear
to be about 3 inches long. They appear to be planning to eat
three medium sized bushes. They did the same thing last year
but I did not catch them in the act and only had the empty
Pentas to show. They just eat the leaves not the stems. They
have ignored the adjacent Vincas (Periwinkles). I thought
it was a Palamedes swallowtail but the internet photos
didn't quite match up. Your thoughts? Please let me know.
Thanks.Best Regards
Andrew Wilson
Hi Andrew,
This is a Tersa Sphinx Caterpillar, Xylophanes tersa tersa.
The caterpillar is frequently found feeding on Penta. We just
posted a photo of the adult moth on our homepage.
Grape Leaf Skeletonizer
(07/16/2007) little worms on grapevine
I think you guys are great. I would love to know what these
little worms are. They really don’t seem to move, but
I’ve found evidence that they’ve been around.
Where did they come from and do they need to be destroyed
or do they turn into something good? I found them on my grapevine.
Thanks,
Lois Cain
Lois
These caterpillars are Grape Leaf Skeletonizers, Harrisina
metallica. The caterpillars are a major defoliator on grape
vines.
Datana Caterpillar Aggregation
(07/15/2007) caterpillar id and behavior explanation
Hello. I was in a swampy woods in northwest Indiana
when I came across a group of caterpillars in a very strange
arrangement. There were approximately 20 in the group,
and they were all congregated together, but more interestingly
their arrangement was exactly symmetrical. I've attached
a photo. Can you tell me what these caterpillars are
and what they're doing? The closest I can come using
a caterpillar ID book is Gulf Fritillary, but I think I may
be a bit out of their range. Thanks,
Scott
Hi Scott,
This behavior is consistant with caterpillars in the genus
Datana, but there are no images on BugGuide
that exactly match this coloration. Identifying the food plant
might help with an identification.
Thanks for getting back to me. The caterpillars that I saw
were on Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry). I'm guessing
Datana ministra?
Scott.
Saddled Prominent Caterpillar
(07/15/2007) Caterpillar on Persimmon
Hello,
Attached are two photos of a caterpillar that I found on my
native persimmon tree here in eastern Pennsylvania.
These pics were taken this morning, 15 July 2007. The
caterpillar is about 1.5 inches long. Do you know what
this is? Thanks,
Rick Stuby
Hi Rick,
We believe this to be a Saddled Prominent Caterpillar, Heterocampa
guttivitta, as pictured on BugGuide.
Mr. Marlos,
Thank you for the very quick reply! I looked on Bugguide (thanks
for that reference, too) at the Heterocampa guttivitta and
other photos from the genus. I see a number of similarities,
but I do not think that what I "have" is guttivitta. The
head on mine is black, not green and there are no dark markings
on the dorsal line of mine. I have attached another photo
which may show that better. There is a small green-yellow
X-shaped saddle on it. If you have any other ideas, please
let me know. In any case, I appreciate your time and effort!
Kind regards,
Rick Stuby
Caterpillars are often variable. Try these links
http://www.forestryimages.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=3717021
http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/subsite/glfc-sugarbush/heterocampa-guttivatta
http://pick5.pick.uga.edu/mp/20q?search=Heterocampa+guttivitta
Thank you yet again, Mr. Marlos. I guess that it could be
guttivitta. I'm tempted to put it in a jar and find out,
but I don't think I have the patience or the ability to distinguish
subtle differences that are no doubt in the adults as well!
I really appreciate your interest and your resources. God
bless,
Rick Stuby
Striped Caterpillar Aggregation from Mexico: Species
still Unidentified
(07/10/2007) Massed Larvae in Coba ruins (Coba Q.R)
The attached photo was taken in the Coba ruins near the small
town of Coba on the Yucatan Peninsula the summer of 1999.
I came across the transparency recently cataloging old images.
These are massed larvae of some insect, I suppose butterfly
or moth, on the trunk of a tree, several feet off the ground.
The scale is not obvious from the photo although some idea
is gotten by noting the reticulation of the tree bark but
they were very large. The larvae (caterpillars) were at least
6 inches long and round about as a man's thumb. I've never
seen anything like it before or since. The size of the the
individual larvae and the extent of the larva mass
was striking. Do you have and identification?
Philip Brody
Bethesda, Maryland
Hi Philip,
This is the third request we have received over the years
for the identification of this species, each time with an
excellent photograph. Though we have tried for hours, we have
never been able to identify this species. The more
recent request arrived two weeks ago, and the original
request came in August 2006. This is probably our most
nagging yet unidentified species, and we hope one day to have
the answer.
Update: (07/15/2007) Mystery Striped Caterpillar
Aggregation from Chacchoben
Mystery Striped Caterpillar Aggregation from Chacchoben (08/04/2006)
strange caterpillars Possible identification of aforementioned:
Arsenura armida www.saturniidae.com
www.insectcompany.com/silkmoth
/kwaarmida.htm Best of luck!
PCG
PS Saw your interview in the July 2007 issue of Sunset magazine---kudos!
Dear PCG,
The links you provided did not have caterpillar images, but
we did a websearch and were led to a page
with many caterpllar images of Arsenura armida. Though they
look similar, we are not thoroughly conviced this is the species
we have received three images of thus far. Glad you saw the
Sunset Magazine interview.
Oleander Moth Caterpillar
(07/07/2007) Caterpillar Calamity!!!
I am having trouble with voracious caterpillars on my Mandevilla
plants in my back yard in Orlando, Fl Could you possibly identify
them for me and advise what I can do to discourage them from
consuming my plants??? Many thanks
Paul Bond
Hi Paul,
First we are impressed by the long depth of field in your
photograph and love the way the single caterpillar in the
foreground appears to dwarf its coevals
in the background. These are Oleander Moth Caterpillars, Syntomeida
epilais. The adults are also known as Polka Dot Wasp Moths.
We normally get reports of caterpillars feeding on oleander,
but we found an oleander
website that mentions that oleander and mandevilla are
both in the Dogbane family. Since we frown on pesticides in
the garden, we would recommend hand picking the caterpillars.
Perspective Correction Update: (07/09/2007)
Note on the Oleander caterpillars
Hi Daniel
About the image that is with "Oleander Moth Caterpillar (07/07/2007)
Caterpillar Calamity!!!" Wanted to say that I think what this
image shows is one leaf, which has on it two tiny, early instar
(first instar maybe?) caterpillars, as well as one big hulking
late instar individual. I mean they are individuals of different
ages, from two different batches of eggs. Best,
Susan
Hi Susan,
Closer inspection shows you are correct and all caterpillars
are on the same leaf. We had really been looking forward to
the opportunity of using one of our favorite words correctly
in a sentence.
Io Moth Caterpillars?????
(07/06/2007) is this caterpillar poisonous?
I was mowing the lawn and brushed against this holly tree
and felt a sting/burn on my arm. I have welts on my arm and
I think I brushed against these caterpillars. Are they
poisonous or anything? Thanks
Marlin
Hi Marlin,
Are you in Brazil or Virginia???? Exact identification is
aided by a global location. These are caterpillars in the
genus Automeris which has caterpillars with mildly stinging
spines. The effect of the sting wears off without any lasting
effect. If you are in the eastern U.S., these are Io Moth
Caterpillars, Automeris io. There are many closely related
species in tropical America, and that is also a possibility.
Thanks, I am in Miami, FL
Bald
Cypress Sphinx Caterpillar
(Independence Day/ 2007) sphinx moth perhaps?
I've gone through all 9 pages of caterpillar photos....and
then asked my (adult) daughter to do the same and we didn't
locate this exact caterpillar but think it must be a sphinx
of some sort? Thought we'd pass it along to you in case
you can confirm. This one is located in south Florida
(there was also another smaller one on the same tree, about
a foot away), happily munching away on the new growth on a
cypress tree.
Pat
Hi Pat,
Yes, this is a Sphinx Moth Caterpillar, but we are unsure
of the species. We are, however, very excited that we believe
we may know what it is. We are making an educated guess, thanks
to you providing us with a food plant and a location, those
two items that really make identification easier. We believe
this may be a Bald Cypress Sphinx, Isoparce cupressi, which
we located on Bill
Oehlke's excellent website. Our doubt is based on the
lack of a caterpillar image for the species. We will directly
contact Bill Oehlke and get his opinion, and we suspect if
our guess is correct, he may request permission from you to
post your photo on his website as well. Your photo is of a
very high quality as well as being artfully composed.
Hi Daniel,
Thanks for thinking of me. Yes, it is Isoparce cupressi, and
I have just uploaded an image from Vernon Brou. It would be
nice to add this one as well.
Bill Oehlke
Metamorphosis
of the Rustic Sphinx
(07/03/2007) Manduca rustica
Hi,
Just dicovered your page, great! I moved to Tucson AZ from
Europe, and I am still fascinated with the numbers and the
size of our insects here. Last year a caterpillar of a hawkmoth
mystified us, so we raised it (fed it tons of cape honeysuckle)
and waited for the imago. Here are the stages, all huge
Margarethe
 
Hi Margarethe,
Thank you for sending in your wonderful documentation of the
metamorphosis of the Rustic Sphinx.
Potential Hardwood Stump Borer and Unidentified
Striped Caterpillar Aggregation from Mexico
(06/30/2007) beetle and caterpillar from Mexico
Hi there,
I know you are specialized in the bugs of North America but
while browsing your great site I noticed you sometimes have
exotics as well, so I thought I might give it a try. Since
August last year we live in Quintana Roo, Southern Mexican
Caribbean and just love the wide variety of animals especially the
insects here. We always try to find out what we have
seen, but there are some we couldn´t identify so far.
Any ideas about this huge beetle or the big caterpillars that
all gathered at this tree. The cute yellow and black
one was quiet small. Thanks a lot!
Jacqueline
 
Hi Jacquiline,
Your beetle is a Cerambycid, one of the Longhorn Borers. It
looks suspiciously like the Hardwood
Stump Borer, Mallodon dasystomus, which is the only species
of the genus found in North America. We could not locate any
images online of Central American species, and perhaps one
of our readers can provide an answer. Regarding the Striped
Caterpillar Aggregation, we received another photo of
this caterpillar in August 2006 and it is still unidentified.
Snowberry
Clearwing Caterpillar and Giant Swallowtail Caterpillar
(06/29/2007) caterpillars I live in Fort Worth, TX and found
this green, horned caterpillar on my coral honeysuckle. I
think it's a hummingbird clearwing, but am looking for clarification
on that. I have not seen any of the moths flying around.
I'm also sending a picture of a giant swallowtail caterpillar
because I didn't see any pictures of them on your site and
thought you might be interested. It's on the rue which is
also greatly populated by black swallowtails. Love your website!
Thanks,
Jeanne
 |
 |
| Snowberry
Clearwing Caterpillar |
Giant
Swallowtail Caterpillar |
Hi Jeanne,
The Caterpillar you suspect is a Hummingbird Clearwing is
another species in the same genus, the Snowberry Clearwing,
Hemaris diffinis. Your other caterpillar is correctly identified
as a Giant Swallowtail Caterpillar.
Zebra
Longwing Metamorphosis and Mating, and Julia
Caterpillar
(06/29/2007) Follow-up on Zebra Longwing caterpillar
I just love your site! :) Thanks again for letting me
know that I had Zebra Longwing caterpillars on a passion vine.
I had followed them through the stages and have attached additional
pictures of the cacoon and adults on a cacoon.
 
Lastly. I have now found a SECOND different caterpillar on
the same passion vine. It has the same spikes as the Zebra
Longwing but it is differently colored. Do you know what this
caterpillar is? Thanks.
Bill
Miami, FL
Wow Bill,
That is one impressive looking Chrysalis. We have never seen
the Chrysalis or Pupa of a Zebra Longwing. It is very ornate.
It appears that the Zebra Longwing adults are mating, and
we suspect the caterpillar might be the coloration of an earlier
instar. Caterpillars molt four times, once after each of the
five instars or growth phase. On many species, each instar
is a different color with different markings. After the fifth
molt is the Chrysalis stage. Your metamorphosis series is
a fabulous addition to our site.
Correction: (08/14/2007) caterpillar id
hello there!
I have long looked through your site and never contacted you! I have been interested in bugs for some time since I was little, and now i'm 17 and going to Cornell U for entomology (which was my dream!)! I've worked at a butterfly vivarium for 5 years now, and I'm very much into rearing and raising moths and butterflies, especially the Saturniids!! I have a bunch of Actias selene (indian moon moth) eclosing at the moment, which I will gladly photograph and send in!! My email actually pertains to a picture I came across on your caterpillar page! it was on the caterpillars 10 link, and the date was 6/29/2007, of the zebra longwing chrysalis and butterflies. The caterpillar is not an early instar of the zebra; it's a julia butterfly (Dryas iulia) caterpillar. The zebras remain white with black spots for their entire life, except when they are first and second instar babies, and look sort of yellowish! I hope you don't mind my input!!
Jeff Petracca
Buck Moth Caterpillar
(06/28/2007) Really BIG caterpillar
Dear Bugman,
I live in Appomattox, VA, and we saw this caterpillar on the
trunk of an oak tree. We don't see it at night, but we have
seen it every morning in the same place. It is very large--about
3 1/2 inches in length, and about 1/2 inch in diameter. I
looked through your 9 pages of caterpillars, but nothing looked
like it. It looks like it would sting. I love your site!!!
Best regards,
Nina Eagle
Hi Nina,
We found your caterpillar on BugGuide.
It is an unidentified Buck Moth Caterpillar in the genus Hemileuca.
It was found in Texas, also on an oak tree.
Black Swallowtail Caterpillar, early instar
(06/25/2007) Early instar of swallowtail?
Hello -
I love your site - I am amazed at what people will put in
their hands. Anyway, I have been using the fab book Caterpillars
of Eastern North America to try and identify some caterpillars
in my veggie garden in Southern New Jersey but think I have
become a bit to eagle eyed as they are all very small and
none of them seem to be in the book! I think I am not versed
enough in the various instars and color variations that caterpillars
can come in. This is the most recent caterpillar my husband
and I have found. She was on a dill plant that is smooshed
between tomato plants. She appeared on June 25 in the evening.
Only about 1/2" long. The white bands in the middle are
really throwing me. Who is she? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Jessica Ferguson
Woodbury, NJ
Hi Jessica,
Caterpillars undergo five instars, each followed by a molt.
The fifth molt results in the chrysalis stage. Each of the
five caterpillar instars results in a larger size, and in
some species, a radically different appearance. This early
Black Swallowtail instar looks nothing like the fifth instar
caterpillar with the distinctive black and green stripes and
yellow spots.
White Lined Sphinx Caterpillar
(06/24/2007) a hornworm?
We have discovered some wonderful caterpillars that I refuse
to think are going to find my tomato plants, though they remind
me of tomato hornworms They are living in a patch of curly
dock in our front yard. (Guess I can't mow THAT yet... not
until we retrieve the chrysalises later) Anyway... can you
identify this for us? We live in the Minneapolis area of Minnesota,
USA. Thank you.
Liz and Caiti
Hi Liz and Caiti,
This is a White Lined Sphinx Caterpillar, Hyles linata. This
is a highly variable caterpillar that comes in several color
morphs.
Cecropia Moth Caterpillar
(06/23/2007) Cecropia Moth Caterpillar
Dear Bug Man,
My kids went out to ride their bikes and found this caterpillar
crawling across the dirveway. I've been researching
this for a bit and came across your site which let us know
what this caterpillar was....or so we hope. It's @ 4
inches long and @ 1 inch in diameter.
Here are some pics we took, June 2007.
Darryl, Ashton and Savanah McNabb
Brenham, TX
Hi Darryl, Ashton and Savanah,
Congratulations on your Cecropia Caterpillar sighting and
its proper identification.
Another Black Swallowtail Caterpillar
(06/23/2007) Black Swallowtail Caterpillar
Hey Bugman,
I used your site to identify this little guy. Thought you
might like this for your collection.... was taken in Shavertown,
Pennsylvania You can also check out my flickr
site... were I have other bug pics there. if you want
any for your site.... let me know.
Chris Campbell
Hi Chris,
Though we just posted another photo of a Black Swallowtail
Caterpillar, we couldn't resist posting yours as well since
it is so gorgeous, detailed and surreal.
Swallowtail Caterpillar with Osmeterium
(06/23/2007) Black Swallowtail Caterpillar Not Happy!
Hi,
Thanks to your site I was not alarmed when I disturbed this
caterpillar. I had already identified him & thought you'd
like to see him in action. Warm regards,
Donna
PS He put out quite a stink as well!
Hi Donna,
In the event some of our readers don't know what you are talking
about, we should inform them that Swallowtail Caterpillars
have a fleshy organ that resembles horns that is normally
retracted, but can be everted when the caterpillar is disturbed.
The organ emits an odor that some predators, and you as well,
find offensive.
Io Moth Caterpillars
(06/23/2007) IO Moth
I found the identification for these on the WTB web site,
I thought you might find it interesting to see 6 larvae dining
on the underside of the same hardy hibiscus leaf. I live in
a suburb (North Richland Hills) that is northeast adjacent
to Fort Worth, Texas
Michael
Hi Michael,
These look like earlier instar Io Moth Caterpillars that still
have some growing and several molts to go. Thanks for sending
us this social grouping image.
Parsnip Webworm
(06/21/2007) The Parsnip Webworm: Nasty on Nasty
Didn't see many webworms on your website, but I think I've
correctly identified this one as a parsnip webworm? I thought
this volunteer plant in my yard might be yarrow (which I wanted),
so I became obsessed with finding out what was destroying
it with these yucky webs. Turns out my plant is Wild Parsnip,
which can cause really bad reactions to people's skin because
of something called "furanocoumarins" that it secretes
in order to try and ward off these darned parsnip webworms.
Seems it causes sunburn-like rashes and even blisters, along
with a sensitivity to sun exposure. I couldn't find any information
about whether the worms have anything good about them, so
I finally dunked the whole mess (plant and all) in soapy water.
I'm not a bug killer by nature but had to get rid of the plant,
so I hope I did the right thing. This just seemed like nasty
on nasty, am I right? Here are some pictures of what the nasty
little webworms did to my nasty little parsnip, before I destroyed
the whole thing.
Daisy
Cary, Illinois
p.s. Almost everything I found online talking about parsnip
webworms or wild parsnip seemed to come from Illinois, which
is where I happen to be. Made me wonder if they're especially
bad here, or something?
Hi Daisy,
We really don't care to pass any judgement regarding if you
did the right thing or not, but we are very happy to have
your letter and image to post. This is a new species for our
site and we are very happy you saved us what might have been
hours of research to properly identify the Parsnip Webworm,
Depressaria pastinacella. BugGuide
has a few images that match yours and they provide a link
to a site
with more information.
Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar
(06/20/2007) Looks like a yellow caterpillar
Can you tell me what this insect is? It was found crawling
around on a pile of firewood in Evansville, IN.
Tammy
Hi Tammy
This is a Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar.
Cecropia
Moth and resulting Caterpillar Hatchlings
(06/20/2007) Cecropia Moth Hatchlings
Hi Bugman...I photographed this cecropia moth on June 8/07
after it laid eggs and the eggs hatched on June 19/07. I really
enjoy your site and appreciate how much work goes into
keeping it going. I noticed you don't have these eggs on your
site so thought they might be a good addition.
Tom Rook
Brantford, Ont. Canada
www.stockfullofnature.com
 
Hi Tom,
Thanks for sending us your Cecropia Hatchling image. We linked
back to your excellent stock
photography site and we hope that doesn't crash your server.
Pipevine
Swallowtail Caterpillar and Feeding Frenzy of Hackberry Emperors
(06/20/2007) Pipevine Swallowtail Caterpillars
Hi!
I Googled and got your site on the second hit. On the first
hit, I saw an Eastern Swallowtail caterpillar misidentified
as a Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillar. I KNOW what an ES looks
like; I wasn't sure what I had eating the Pipevine plants
I had just purchased at the Texas Discovery Garden Butterfly
Plant sale (duh, right? LOL! Well, I just wanted to be sure!)
I didn't see any shots of the black variant on your site,
so am sending you a couple if you can use them. If not, no
worries; I don't have a macro lens, and I was using a zoom
lens, so it was hard to get a good depth of field focused.
Thanks for your site; I've got it bookmarked.
Debbie
PS Have you ever successfully grown Pipevine, the plant? This
is my fourth try, and each time the tubors get holes in them
and then rot. I'm keeping these dryer, but have already lost
one of the three plants I bought. The other two got hammered
by this pair of larvae, so I have them in netting now. It
hurts when I see butterflies flitting against the net, but
if I can't get them to grow, there won't be anything to feed
the caterpillars next year!
PPS I'm also including a shot of a rotten tomato I threw into
the fenceline yesterday; today, it was covered with Hackberry
and Mourning Cloak butterflies!
Hi Debbie,
Your afterthought photo of the Hackberry Emperor feeding frenzy
is pretty awesome. We will be posting it as well as your Pipevine
Swallowtail Caterpillar photo. Sorry, we have never grown
pipevine and do not know anything about its horticultural
needs.
Zebra
Longwing Caterpillar
(06/19/2007) What's this caterpillar?
Hi! I'm glad I found your website. I was out weeding and found
several of these caterpillars on morning glory leaves
in Miami, FL. I didn't see any others on your website. What
is it? Thanks,
Bill
Hi Bill,
We were just going through some older emails we did not have
a chance to open earlier in the week and discovered your photo.
We are thrilled to have received your image of a Zebra Longwing
Caterpillar, Heliconius charitonius, but we wonder if you
have mistaken its typical food plant, the Passion Vine, for
a Morning Glory.
White Lined Sphinx Caterpillar: Black Morph
(06/17/2007) Caterpillar - Large Black Yellow and Orange
I found this caterpillar on a plant at a local store in Meridian,
Idaho. I was so fascinated by it, I bought the plant
it was on so I could take the caterpillar home! I have
not been able to identify it. What do you think it is?
Thanks so much for taking the time to help me.
Ruthann
Hi Ruthann,
This is a White Lined Sphinx Caterpillar. This species has
several different color morphs, and this black one is also
pictured on BugGuide.
The plant is a fuschia, one of the preferred larval foods.
Tersa
Sphinx Caterpillar: Green Morph
(06/15/2007) elephant hawk moth larvae?
I found this guy while mowing the yard in NW Florida.
He looks like an elephant hawk moth caterpillar based on my internet
searching, but they're supposed to be in the UK. any
ideas?
Sheryl Braun
Hi Sheryl,
This is the green color morph of the Tersa Sphinx Caterpillar,
Xylophanes tersa, a Florida resident. They feed on garden
Penta.
Eight Spotted Forrester Caterpillar
(06/11/2007) Phalaenoides glycinae?
Greetings! This past weekend, I found two of these caterpillars
munching on my backyard grapevine leaves. I captured them
and took them inside to observe. When I returned from running
errands, both had escaped from captivity and where toodling
around on the kitchen floor! So, back outside they went to
fend for themselves... I have looked at all 9 (!) of the caterpillar
pages on your WONDERFUL site to no avail! The closest match
I could find on the internet is the Grapevine
Moth, Phalaenoides glycinae, from Australia. But I don't
live anywhere near Oz, we are about 40 miles north of Philadelphia,
PA. Any ideas? I have attached 2 photos, a side view and a
top view, I hope they are satisfactory for a positive ID!!
Thanks for maintaining such a cool site!!
Laura
Hi Laura,
This looks to us like the caterpillar of the Eight Spotted
Forrester Moth, Alypia octomaculata. According to BugGuide,
Grape is a food plant.
Hickory Horned Devil: First example this year
(06/10/2007) What's that bug
I almost stepped on this one in my backyard, just north of
Atlanta, Georgia. I let it go back in the woods after I took
this picture. What’s that bug? Thanks,
Adam Kirkley
Hi Adam,
This is a Hickory Horned Devil, the caterpillar of the Royal
Walnut Moth. This is very early in the year for this caterpillar.
We get numerous photos each year, generally in September.
Paddle Caterpillar
(06/08/2007) Paddle Caterpillar
Hi! I just love this site! My husband and I finally
ID'd this beautiful caterpillar from your site. I have
a question though. Is this caterpillar only supposed
to be specific to the Northwest? We live in central
Missouri in the country and found this guy on a small type
of deciduous tree. They are very rare, from what I read,
but how is it that he would be here in Missouri? Thanks!
Diana
Hi Diana,
We are positively thrilled to get your image of the Paddle
Caterpillar, Acronicta funeralis, also known as the Funerary
Dagger Moth. BugGuide
lists reports from Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, New Hampshire,
Virginia, and Washington. This indicates that it ranges far
wider than just the Pacific Northwest. Thanks again for sending
in such a great image, especially since there is such a dearth
of images of the Paddle Caterpillar on the web.
Orange Dog
(06/07/2007) Caterpillar?
This was located on our fruit tree. What is it? And
is it harmful or helpful?
Mark
Hi Mark,
Harmful and helpful are so relative. Are Preying Mantids harmful
or helpful? They probably eat more pollinating insects than
they do insects that are injurious to plants, yet they are
considered beneficial in the garden. Honey Bees and butterflies
might tend to disagree with that classification. This is an
Orange Dog, the caterpillar of the Giant Swallowtail. In the
scheme of things, the caterpillars eat leaves from citrus
trees, but they do not harm the fruit. The caterpillars are
rarely so numerous as to do harm to the tree. Eventually,
the Orange Dog will metamorphose into a lovely butterfly.
Our vote is on the helpful side, but we have a long standing
record of voting for political candidates who lose the election.
The horns that are visible in your image are a retractable
scent gland known as the osmeterium. This caterpillar uses
that scent gland as well as mimicing bird droppings to avoid
being eaten.
Curve Lined Owlet Moth Caterpillar
(06/05/2007) ID larva on Smilax sp.
I found two of these on smilax sp. in the Ocala National Forest
in Florida. Do you happen to know the name? Thank –you.
Wendy Poag
Park Ranger Lake County Parks and Trails
Tavares , FL
Hi WEndy,
This is a Curve Lined Owlet Moth Caterpillar, Phyprosopus
callitrichoides. There are numerous images on BugGuide.
Swallowtail Caterpillars on Fennel
(06/02/2007) What kind of bug am I?
Hello,
These caterpillars have eaten my Fennel Plant. Are they
future butterflies?
Thanks,
Donna Magnuso
Hi Donna,
There are two very similar looking Swallowtail Butterfly Caterpillars
with nearly identical food plants. The Anise
Swallowtail, Papilio zelicaon, is found in the Western
U.S. The Black
Swallowtail, Papilio polyxenes, is found in the east.
Depending upon your location, your caterpillar is one of these,
though our guess is the Anise Swallowtail.
Oleander Caterpillar
(06/02/2007) Please Please identify these for me!
Hello,
These buggers have been devouring my pretty vine (I think
it's an Allamana vine) and I can't seem to find it in any
book. I'd like to get them off my vine as they completely
eat it. I need to identify them first though so I know how
to kindly get rid of them. I'd like to know if they are moths,
bugs or butterfly, so please let me know. Thanks for your
help!
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
At first your letter had us puzzled as this is an Oleander
Caterpillar and we thought it fed solely on Oleander. We quickly
realized this must be an error as the moth is native and oleander
is not. The Oleander Caterpillar will metamorphose into the
lovely Polkadot Wasp Moth, Syntomeida epilais. BugGuide informed
us that the caterpillar also feeds on Devil's Potato or Rubbervine,
Echites
umbellata, and that is a native vine in the family Apocynaceae.
When oleander was introduced, the moth quickly adapted to
this new food source.
White Lined Sphinx Caterpillar
(05/29/2007) Caterpillar Identification
Could you please help me identify this caterpillar which is
a about 3" long, has a horn at the rear end. It is feeding
on a Four O'clock plant0 the flower of which is supposed to
bloom about 4::00 pm every day. Thanks for your help.
Kathryn Dodd
Sanger, Texas
Hi Kathryn,
This is a White-Lined Sphinx Caterpillar, Hyles lineata. It
is a highly variable caterpillar with at least three distinct
color variations.
Polyphemus Moth Metamorphosis
(05/29/2007) what are they?
From giant green caterpillar..to giant grey moths!
 
These caterpillars turned into cocoons last August, we kept
them out in the garden shed all winter, below zero temps and
all, and they finally today turned into moths! (we thought
maybe they died from too much handling, trips to school for
show and tell..but they are fine! We will release them tonight.)
Some photos are blurry but has my fingers in it for scale
to show how big these guys are!
LaRae
Hi LaRae,
What a marvelous documentation of the metamorphosis of two
Polyphemus Moths.
Snowberry Clearwing Moth Metamorphosis and Mating
(05/22/2007)caterpillar, pupa, and bumblebee moth pictures
We found a Bumblebee Moth caterpillar on our Honeysuckle vine...
 
brought it inside to watch it transform and thought you might
enjoy the pictures!
Nikki Ogle
Aubrey, Tx
BumbleBee Moth's Bug Luvin'
I sent pictures of our Bumblebee Moth development... well,
I just went to check to see if it was still on the vine...
and found a two for one. Two hours after placing the moth
on honeysuckle vine, I went to see if it had flown away ...
instead I was seeing double! After viewing this discovery
I've surmised that our moth was female ... The assumption
based on larger size and having not moved from the leaf it
was place on. It must have been releasing pheromones? If that
is correct ... the one facing us in this picture is a happy
little male. This is my favorite picture. I've attachem more.
Nikki Ogle
Aubrey, Tx
 
Hi Nikki,
We sure hope you are going to send us the egg photos to complete
this awesome life cycle series. Though it is often called
the Bumblebee Moth, Hemaris thysbe is most commonly known
as the Hummingbird Clearwing Moth or Common Clearwing. according
to Bill
Oehlke's awesome site.
Update: (05/29/2007) Snowberries I think
Hello bugman!
So glad that you guys are back. I was just looking an awesome
series of shots sent in by one of your readers of the life
cycle of some clearwing moths. I do believe they are Hemaris
difinnis, the Snowberry
Clearwing, and not H. thysbe. I use the same sources as
you (namely Bill Oehlke's website and bugguide, Wagner's book
for caterpillars). On Bill Oehlke's website, he describes
some of the differences, including the color of the legs,
which can be seen in the image you have of them mating. Keep
up the good work!
Bobby
Hi Bobby,
Thanks for the correction. By the way, we cannot open your
photos, but we are very curious to see them.
Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar
(05/20/2007) brown caterpillar with blue dots found in Chaparral,
NM
Dear Bugman:
We found this caterpillar heading from a flowerbed to our
vegetable garden in Chaparral, NM. Is it a Elephant Hawk-moth?
Should we be concerned for our veggies?
Thank you for all your help,
Susan and Rick
Hi Susan and Rick,
This is a Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar. It is getting ready
to pupate, hence the brown coloration. It is normally green.
It probably left the tree it was feeding upon and is searching
for a pupation location.
Caterpillar on Lupine: Twirler Moth Caterpillar???
(05/18/2007) ID caterpillar
I've looked at all your caterpillar photos and don't find
this guy. What is it? It is on a bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis.)
Beth Ramey, Wimberley, TX
Hi Beth,
This is just a guess. We did a web search of caterpillar and
lupine and found numerous postings regarding the returning
lupine population being ravaged by caterpillars after the
eruption of Mt
Saint Helens. Though we could not locate a photo of this
caterpillar, the description reads: "Much of the lupine damage
was attributable to caterpillars of Filatima sp. moths, herbivores
that feed on the lupine. The caterpillar ties lupine leaves
together in silken masses to feed on the green tissue, dramatically
reducing the number of seeds produced by lupines and, consequently,
the rate at which the lupine population can expand." This
is consistant with your image that seems to show the silken
mass on the leaves. We then tried BugGuide, but could not
locate the genus, only the family Gelechioidea, and the Family
Gelechiidae,
Twirler Moths. Still not images of caterpillars that match
yours. Perhaps one of our readers can find the answer.
Update: Caterpillar on Lupine: Twirler Moth
Caterpillar??? (05/18/2007) ID caterpillar In regards to your
posted photo, it looks like the caterpillar may be Pyralidae
family, species: Uresiphita reversalis, which I have on my
own website, http://www.colinlmiller.com/wildlife/lepidoptera/lepidoptera_caterpillars.htm.
Apollo or Parnassian Caterpillar
(05/17/2007) parnassian instar
Hello Daniel,
Here are some pics of the earlier instar. I apologize that
they are a little out of focus. I was having trouble with
my camera at the time & had to send it in for repairs
soon after. I will also send a few more in separate emails
as we have had some problems with our server lately, if you
send more than two at a time they disappear into cyberspace.
... The Parnassian was found in Well County North Dakota.
I cannot remember what year though. I am thinking it was around
2003-2004? I can look for my records if you need to know.
It was also found in town & feeding on Dill & Parsley.
This set pictures are of the instar just before the last.
Misty
 
Hi again Misty,
First, we really want to thank you for identifying an earlier
Parnassian Caterpillar
that we had misidentified on our site back in 2006. We are
also thrilled to get your photos of both the earlier striped
caterpillar instar and the final spotted instar. In an attempt
to not add any more confusion, here is what we do know. Parnassian
is the common name for all butterflies in the genus Parnassius.
In Europe, this same genus is known as the Apollo Butterflies.
The genus Parnassius is found in mountainous areas of the
northern hemisphere where there are snowy winters. There are
several North American species. Neither Parnassius clodius,
nor Parnassius phoebus are listed as living in North Dakota
in our Butterflies Through Binoculars (the West) book and
P. clodius has the more western range. There is much variability
in the adult coloration, which complicates identifications.
BugGuide
lists another species, Parnassius smintheus, the Rocky Mountain
Parnassius that ranges "From New Mexico north along the Rocky
Mountains and into southwest Alaska." All that said, we are
eager to get your update from the expert on the proper species
identification of your specimen. Thank you so much for adding
to the information on our site.
Anise Swallowtail Caterpillar
(05/15/2007) beautiful Swallowtail
hi,
we went huckle berry picking up here at the start of the rockies
and my daughter found this beautiful caterpillar. It seemed
strange to find it this far north and on a mountain, to boot!
The Anise Swallowatail ranges from Canada through Washington,
Oregon and California, and probably flagrantly ignores the
Mexican border. Additionally, according to BugGuide,
photos have been received from Utah and "A rare stray to central
Nebraska and eastern North Dakota." Just where exactly do
the Rockies start?
hi again, sorry, we are in Dawson Creek, Canada - in the northeast
of BC, we were in the "Pine Pass" - the northern part of the
highway between Dawson Creek and Prince George. It was early
August.
Amber
Tent Caterpillars
(Mother's Day 05/13/2007) Tent caterpillars
and a closeup....This was taken near a child's park in Asbury,
NJ on Mother's Day 2007. I found this about them on Wiki "Tent
caterpillars are moderately sized caterpillars in the genus
Malacosoma in the moth family Lasiocampidae. Species occur
in North America, Mexico, and Eurasia. Twenty-six species
have been described, six of which occur in North America.
Some species are considered to have subspecies as well. Although
most people consider tent caterpillars only as pests due to
their habit of defoliating trees, they are among the most
social of all caterpillars and exhibit many noteworthy behaviors.
Tent caterpillars are readily recognized because they are
social, colorful, day active and build conspicuous silk tents
in the branches of host trees. Some species, such as the eastern
tent caterpillar, Malacosoma americanum, build a single large
tent which is typically occupied through the whole of the
larval stage while others build a series of small tents that
are sequentially abandoned. The forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma
disstria, is exceptional in that the larvae build no tent
at all, aggregating instead on silken mats that they spin
on the leaves or bark of trees. Tents facilitate aggregation
and serve as focal sites of thermal regulatory behavior. They
also serve as communication centers where caterpillars are
alerted to the discovery of new food finds, as discussed below."
Debbie
 
Hi Debbie,
Thanks for sending us your photos and providing the factual
information.
Anise Swallowtail Caterpillar
(05/12/2007) 3 pictures for you
Hi Mr. Bugman,
I am attaching three photos I took this morning of the caterpillar
you identified for me on your website. You asked for clearer
pictures; I hope these help. You do a great service, and I
love your site. Regards,
Darlene Elliott
Santa Rosa, California
Hi Darlene,
Thank you for sending us your images of an Anise Swallowtail
Caterpillar, Papilio zelicaon. IN the final instar, we find
the caterpillar of the Anise
Swallowtail to be visually indistinguishable from images
of the Black
Swallowtail Caterpillar, Papilio polyxenes. If a reader
does not supply a location, we would not be able to tell them
apart. The Anise Swallowtail is found in the Western U.S.
while the Black Swallowtail if limited to the east. The Black
Swallowtail Caterpillar is sometimes called a Parsleyworm,
and as your photo indicates, the name also applies to the
Anise Swallowtail.
Parsleyworm: Black Swallowtail Caterpillar, early
instar
(05/12/2007) Photo for the Orange, white and black caterpillar
- can't identify
Hello Bugman!
We hope you can help us out. A photo of our unknown caterpillar
is attached. We found it on May 9th in the garden eating a
parsely plant. We live in South East Florida (near Fort Lauderdale).
The caterpillary is fairly small, about 1/2 an inch in size.
It has black and white stripes around it, with orange dots
at the base of black horns or bristles on each segment. We
found one photo of something similar on the Internet, but
it was not identified. Can you help?
The Castro Family
Florida
Dear Castro Family,
Caterpillars shed their skins going through stages known as
instars. This is an earlier instar of a Black Swallowtail
Caterpillar, Papilio polyxenes. According to BugGuide,
the caterpillar changes dramatically with each molt. They
are sometimes called Carrotworms or Parsleyworms since they
feed on the leaves of carrots as well as parsley and other
plants in that family. |
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