I almost killed this caterpillar

16 years ago

I'm desperately trying to ID this caterpillar. I don't know how to put photos on this forum, but I have the photo on the gallery forum under this same subject. Please if anyone has any info, I would love to know what it is. Thanks,

Shari

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Comments (9)

Msrpaul
16 years ago
I looked under bugs & butterflies & didn't see any caterpillars?
khakitag
Original Author
16 years ago
I posted it under the gallery section. When you first get on the butterly forum, it says, forum or gallery, it's in there. Thanks.
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I took the liberty of dropping Dale Clark, bless him, an email and here's his super fast reply. Pamela: While I didn't recognize the caterpillar (although I've seen it before), I sent your email on to the Man with the Answers: David Wagner, author of "Caterpillars of Eastern North America" and a must-have book for all who are fond of caterpillars. It can be purchased through Amazon.com or at most of the big name bookstores. At any rate, his response was: "It is an agaristid: Xerocirus wilsonii. It feeds on Cissus." So there is your answer. I did a quick search and found a link to a nice photo of the moth: http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/35990696 Hope this helps. Dale Clark Dallas County Lepidopterists' Society www.dallasbutterfies.com
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roselee z8b S.W. Texas
16 years ago
Well, I guess nobody on here knows. You might try the Insect Forum. The link is on the top right hand side of the Butterfly page.

Or check out some of the caterpillar ID sites that google lists like this one. And please let us know when you get an ID.

Here is a link that might be useful: Discover Life -- Cat ID guide
onafixedincome
16 years ago
I spent HOURS last night and came up with..nothing! Those funny little curly projections/feelers have me beat!!

You might ask some of the entomology department folks at Texas A&M (?)....Good luck and please PLEASE let us know.

That's one heck of a good picture, by the way... :)
MissSherry
16 years ago
The only caterpillar I can find with those funny setae is the afflicted dagger moth. The ADM cat has lots of color forms, so if you research it, you might can find a picture that looks like that one.
MissSherry
onafixedincome
16 years ago
I took the liberty of dropping an email to a gentleman and here's his reply:

Pamela:

While I didn't recognize the caterpillar (although I've seen it before), I
sent your email on to the Man with the Answers: David Wagner, author of
"Caterpillars of Eastern North America" and a must-have book for all who
are fond of caterpillars. It can be purchased through Amazon.com or at
most of the big name bookstores. At any rate, his response was:

"It is an agaristid: Xerocirus wilsonii. It feeds on Cissus."

So there is your answer. I did a quick search and found a link to a nice
photo of the moth:
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/35990696

Hope this helps.

Dale Clark
Dallas County Lepidopterists' Society
www.dallasbutterfies.com
susanlynne48
16 years ago
It feeds on cissus, so I'm wondering if it uses anything else in that family, or just in the genus cissus.

Sure is a pretty cat. The moth looks like what is commonly referred to as a Wood Nymph. They are soooooo gorgeous!

Susan
todancewithwolves
16 years ago
I'm so glad it was ID. I was so curious. Pretty little guy.
khakitag
Original Author
16 years ago
Well finally. Thanks so much. I do have his book, and couldn't find this guy in there, but he's the expert, not me. Thanks so much. I'll look it up. I appreciate all the interest, and help.

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I almost killed this caterpillar

Comments (9)

Msrpaul

khakitag
Original Author

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I almost killed this caterpillar

Comments (9)

Msrpaul

khakitagOriginal Author

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roselee z8b S.W. Texas

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MissSherry

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khakitag
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