Knowledgebase

Unknown caterpillar/ bug #872679

Asked June 11, 2024, 5:59 PM EDT

Hi I found this caterpillar/ on my milkweed I put it in a container with celery top also and it crawled to that. It doesn’t eat much I was wondering if you knew what it was good or bad! Thank you

Anoka County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thank you for writing.
That is the caterpilar of the Lunate Zale Moth. 
Harmless to humans.
There are very few plants that it eats so it is on a hunger strike on a celery diet. 
Few caterpillers cause damage in MN.  Most turn into beneficial butterflies and moths that pollinate plants as they graze by night or day.  
Set him/her free near where found.  
https://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.php?identification=Lunate-Zale-Moth
Steve Miles, Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I am a human being, not a bot nor AI). I am an avid gardener but am not a degreed or certified horticulturist or arborist. I am happy to receive follow-up questions if my responses are incomplete or unclear.  This is the University of MN' garden soil testing service.  https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden This is guidance on how to find a tree expert.  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a wonderful place to see and learn about plants that grow in Minnesota. https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/minnesota-landscape-arboretum Replied June 11, 2024, 6:26 PM EDT
Hi
Thank you for the information, I found him on my milkweed but I’m afraid it will eat any eggs that may be around there. Do you know what they normally eat?
Thank you  
Jana Nagy



On Jun 11, 2024 at 5:26 PM, <Ask Extension> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied June 11, 2024, 6:47 PM EDT
Thank you for writing back.  
These are vegetarians that eat roses and several kinds of wild flowers.  They do not eat other bugs or eggs. 
https://uwm.edu/field-station/bug-of-the-week/zale-moths-family-erebidae/#:~:text=Lunate%20Zale&text=The%20caterpillars%20are%20food%20generalists,%2C%20maple%2C%20and%20some%20wildflowers.
Steve Miles, Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I am a human being, not a bot nor AI). I am an avid gardener but am not a degreed or certified horticulturist or arborist. I am happy to receive follow-up questions if my responses are incomplete or unclear.  This is the University of MN' garden soil testing service.  https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden This is guidance on how to find a tree expert.  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a wonderful place to see and learn about plants that grow in Minnesota. https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/minnesota-landscape-arboretum Replied June 11, 2024, 10:34 PM EDT
Thank you very much for all the information, I feel more comfortable knowing where to let him go at!

Jana Nagy



On Jun 11, 2024 at 9:34 PM, <Ask Extension> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied June 12, 2024, 6:53 AM EDT

Loading ...