What is this caterpillar - Ask Extension
There were several of these caterpillars in my vegetable garden. I didn't see them on the plants but the only one nibbles was the Lima beans. Not the ...
Knowledgebase
What is this caterpillar #871260
Asked June 03, 2024, 10:18 AM EDT
There were several of these caterpillars in my vegetable garden. I didn't see them on the plants but the only one nibbles was the Lima beans. Not the green beans or peas squash or cucumber
Kalamazoo County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello Nancy,
This picture is too dark Make a positive identification.
I think I see a pattern of tiny white spots on it that indicates it is a mourning cloak butterfly caterpillar ( also called spiny elm caterpillar). They do not feed on vegetables, but typically feed on tree leaves.
There is no need to control them, they are ready to develop into pupae and then develop into butterflies.
If you can attach a well lighted picture to this question, please do so.
You can compare yours to these bulletins which have clear pictures of the caterpillar, the pupa, and the adult.
https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/mourning_cloak.htm
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/mourning-cloak-butterflyspiny-elm-caterpillar
https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Nymphalis_antiopa/
This picture is too dark Make a positive identification.
I think I see a pattern of tiny white spots on it that indicates it is a mourning cloak butterfly caterpillar ( also called spiny elm caterpillar). They do not feed on vegetables, but typically feed on tree leaves.
There is no need to control them, they are ready to develop into pupae and then develop into butterflies.
If you can attach a well lighted picture to this question, please do so.
You can compare yours to these bulletins which have clear pictures of the caterpillar, the pupa, and the adult.
https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/mourning_cloak.htm
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/mourning-cloak-butterflyspiny-elm-caterpillar
https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Nymphalis_antiopa/
