Subject: Caterpillar we’ve never seen
Geographic location of the bug: Belfast, Maine
Date: 08/14/2019
Time: 12:26 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: We saw this caterpillar this morning in our yard. We simply can’t find any one similar in trying to identify what it is.
How you want your letter signed: Katie
Dear Katie,
The Paddle Caterpillar, Acronicta funeralis, is surely a distinctive species. According to BugGuide: “larvae feed on leaves of alder, apple, birch, blueberry/huckleberry (Vaccinium spp.), cottonwood, dogwood, elm, hazel, hickory, maple, oak, willow.”
Thank you so much!! My daughter will be ecstatic to know we got a reply. We truly appreciate it!
Katie