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

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

Your problem sounds more complicated than what you describe. More information and adding some pictures would help those reading this visualize the situation. Have you been watering the tree up until you worked on the mulch problem? Working on a stressed tree where you might have broken surface roots with the rake could explain the wilting. How much top soil did you add to the surface of the mound? It would take more than a couple inches of dirt to smother roots imo. How deep is the mulch? You only need 2-3" on top, to protect the soil from the hot sun and hold moisture. I personally would be hesitant using freshly ground mulch, unless I knew it was completely dead wood and bark. Heaping stuff on that contains green or sap wood, could result in various gases given off as it breaks down, at least for the first week or two. Did you water it good after you were finished? And continue to water as needed afterwards? If it's been really hot and dry there as you describe, anything that upsets the tree could cause it to react and show signs of stress.

i bare root all my plants at planting.. but i plant when they are all dormant.. and leafless you should be doing the happy dance that it looks as good as it does.. after what you put it thru.. rather than worrying like a mother hen ... water deeply and then let near dry before watering deeply again ... in every post.. tell us where you are .. in my MI .. if i planted and watered it in.. in spring.. i probably would not have to water again for a month.. with proper mulch .. NOTHING needs water every day ... you disturbed the roots ability to take up water.. thru the root surgery ... no matter how much water you put down.. it cant take it up.. until the roots settle back down to do there job ... and the result of doing that when its out of dormancy.. is some potential leaf damage ... so be it ... see link below for general primer ... trees and shrubs should not be on irrigation .. they simply dont need that much water.. especially after they get fully established ... or in the alternative.. the drip doesnt water deep enough into the root zone .. sounds like you might have a bit of powdery mildew .. do you water at night.. or wet the entire plant in the evening ... again.. it looks great ... take a hand trowel.. and dig a couple 3 to 6 inch holes.. and FIND OUT how much moisture there is at root depth ... and dont water again.. until its dry a couple inches down ... no one can tell you how it all works in your area.. in your soil ... in your weather.. so its left to you and your trowel start the happy dance ... and step away from the plant so you dont fall on it ... ken ps: come the heat of summer you will have to water more this summer.. because of the transplant.. but it should be pretty much free range by next year.. and should not be on irrigation at that point ...