insect found at Otsego county park Saturday June 1, 2024 - Ask Extension
insect about 3.5 to4 inches long with square shaped head raised dome like. Back a series of overlapping sections each have a leg on both sides- so 2/s...
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insect found at Otsego county park Saturday June 1, 2024 #871283
Asked June 03, 2024, 11:55 AM EDT
insect about 3.5 to4 inches long with square shaped head raised dome like. Back a series of overlapping sections each have a leg on both sides- so 2/section. body ended on a thick forked structure. including photo - ? Japanese beetle larva stage.
Wright County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing.
Not sure but it looks like a Zale Moth caterpillar.
https://bugguide.net/node/view/3122/bgpage
https://www.caterpillaridentification.org/information.php?primary_name=zale-moth-caterpillar
Not sure but it looks like a Zale Moth caterpillar.
https://bugguide.net/node/view/3122/bgpage
https://www.caterpillaridentification.org/information.php?primary_name=zale-moth-caterpillar
Oldwife underling or hermit sphinx moth catepillar but it has only 1 spike ( not 2) from back end and not a black dot on head just whole black rounder head. <personal data hidden>
So yesterday l saw that same looking caterpillar that you might be zale moth . It was crawling in the grasses alongside the new wildflowers growing on riverbank of Mississippi River at Otsego county park. I had neither my phone or camera with me. There appeared to be 2 set antennae or mouth projections that it used to grasp grass stems and clover stems to drag itself forward. It had same body although slightly thinner than before. It Still had the 2 prongs in u shape at back end and at least 2 inch long clear see through wings folded over back(with thin black lines) . It still in total length is about 3.5 to 4 inches. I went back today and did not see it. The lunatic zale appears largest but not same color caterpillar. Thanks, <personal data hidden>
So yesterday l saw that same looking caterpillar that you might be zale moth . It was crawling in the grasses alongside the new wildflowers growing on riverbank of Mississippi River at Otsego county park. I had neither my phone or camera with me. There appeared to be 2 set antennae or mouth projections that it used to grasp grass stems and clover stems to drag itself forward. It had same body although slightly thinner than before. It Still had the 2 prongs in u shape at back end and at least 2 inch long clear see through wings folded over back(with thin black lines) . It still in total length is about 3.5 to 4 inches. I went back today and did not see it. The lunatic zale appears largest but not same color caterpillar. Thanks, <personal data hidden>
Thank you for writing Sheryl
Insect Identifications are among the most difficult things we do. We used to have an entomolologist to consult with but he retired. Many of the sites, even The Garden Professors will not do these. So we focus on the ones in gardens, preferably eating plants.
This is practical for another reason as well. The vast majority of caterpillars are beneficial either eating insect pests or night time pollinating.
Insect Identifications are among the most difficult things we do. We used to have an entomolologist to consult with but he retired. Many of the sites, even The Garden Professors will not do these. So we focus on the ones in gardens, preferably eating plants.
This is practical for another reason as well. The vast majority of caterpillars are beneficial either eating insect pests or night time pollinating.
