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Wildlife Spotting

Photo by KarenL
Published on Project Noah
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35.9214, -86.8522

Field Notes

Description:

1 1/4" long caterpillar

Habitat:

Semi rural

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (6)
KarenL
Thanks Nina & gatorfellows. I'm going to submit this to bamona & see what they think.
gatorfellows
There are a couple of similar caterpillars on Bugguide that you may wish to reference in your request. Neither were in your exact range. http://bugguide.net/node/view/533879 and http://bugguide.net/node/view/396794
Nina C. Wilde
You could try posting on Bugguide.net for an ID. That's where I started when I began with moths and caterpillars years ago. My book does indicate that both the specimens I noted are within range (both note range south and west to Texas).
KarenL
Thanks for your help Nina. I think I need to do more research here as the limited info I could find online doesn't show TN in the range for either of these species - though both seem to be quite rare so there are very few sightings. I believe it was on Queen Anne's lace.
Nina C. Wilde
Possibilities are: Cutina distincta (distinguished cypress owlet), Zale Curema (Northeastern Pine Zale), I went through all images in "Owlet Caterpillars of Eastern North America" as well as Caterpillars of Eastern North America. Those two were the best matches based upon 1) your location (other similar species were only seen far northward of you) and 2) time of year (other similar species ruled out b/c they have abundant caterpillars earlier in the year).
Nina C. Wilde
Do you know what plant it's on? That can help with ID. I have several books on Caterpillars in the US.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Moths of the World
Mission
Caterpillars and larvae of the World
Mission
Wildlife of Goose Creek
Mission
Insects of TN
Mission
Butterflies and Moths of Southeast USA
Photographed
PublishedSeptember 16, 2012

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