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Book recommendation #871271

Asked June 03, 2024, 10:55 AM EDT

Hi there, I'm wondering if you have an insect ID book you would recommend for the home gardener/homesteader? I have the Audubon pocket guide to insects but we have found that extremely lacking. For example, this morning we noticed a large number of caterpillars on our Pearly Everlasting plant and google helped us discover that it was the American Lady Butterfly caterpillar and that it would not harm the plant permanently. I'm hoping for a reference book we can use instead of googling or using the iNaturalist or Seek apps to ID bugs. We use the Stan Tekiela bird, wildflower, and tree books regularly and love them. Maybe you can direct me to one for insects! Thank you!

Dakota County Minnesota

Expert Response

Here are two excellent insect ID books for your consideration:

Garden Insects of North America
The Ultimate Guide to Backyard Bugs
By Whitney Cranshaw

https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/<personal data hidden>42/garden-insects-of-north-america

Caterpillars of Eastern North America
By David L Wagner

https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/<personal data hidden>44/caterpillars-of-eastern-north-america
An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 03, 2024, 6:02 PM EDT

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