Caterpillar - Ask Extension
Is this a 'good' caterpillar? Found it on a native lupine we just bought at MG plant sale at Benton Co. Fairgrounds. Will let it keep foraging on the ...
Knowledgebase
Caterpillar #931606
Asked May 13, 2026, 5:50 PM EDT
Is this a 'good' caterpillar? Found it on a native lupine we just bought at MG plant sale at Benton Co. Fairgrounds. Will let it keep foraging on the plant if it's a beneficial! Thank you.
Benton County Oregon
Expert Response
Thanks for asking about this caterpillar! It looks much like a Painted Lady caterpillar. That's a very common early butterfly, and lupine is one of the foods the caterpillars like. However, caterpillar appearance changes somewhat as they go through instars and get bigger, and there are other similar caterpillars, so this may not be correct.
This book, Lepidoptera of the Pacific Northwest, available online, is a useful resource for identifying caterpillars. They can be quite tricky.
This book, Lepidoptera of the Pacific Northwest, available online, is a useful resource for identifying caterpillars. They can be quite tricky.
