I don't know if cabbage loopers like Artichokes, but they would certainly go for Brussels Sprouts, Pak Choi and Chinese Cabbage. There are a variety of caterpillars that eat artichokes and members of the cabbage family. Kevin's advice on Bt above remains valid for all of them. Especially when the caterpillars are young. I usually don't worry much about Painted Lady caterpillars (as on artichokes). They are typically found at the base of a leaf, under a web. The damage you have looks like it came from something else. There are some big grasshoppers out now, too. They could cause damage like that seen on your artichoke. Bt won't work on them.

I found one of these on one of my tomatoes this year and tossed it into the alley so the birds could get it. A mockingbird kept trying to pick it up, but the THW kept squirming and even raised it's head like it was going to attack the bird. It was like they were having a fight. The bird wasn't able to pick it up right away, but a little while later it must have gotten it or a bigger bird got it because it was gone. I guess the bird won. They will devour your tomatoes, so you should definitely pick it off unless you want to have the moth around your yard laying more eggs. The adult is fascinating to see, but I don't want their babies on my tomatos.

Hi, my guesses: pic no 1: Salt Marsh Caterpillar pic no 2: Giant Leopard Moth Caterpillar pic no 3: Salt Marsh Caterpillar(?) pic no 4: Hop Merchant Caterpillar?(just a guess.. ;-) ) pic no 5: Yellow WOOLLY Bear Caterpillar Greetings Susanne(SUE) I am not too familar with Texas Butterflies and Caterpillars

My guess is it normally does not look like that. Probably changed color while it searches for a place to pupate. Its head looks distinctive. I suggest taking your best head shot and cropping it down so we can get a good look at its face. Might help ID it.