Catalpa tree (Southern)
Catalpa bignonioides
32.8291, -88.4767
Field Notes
Description:
If an orchid married a chandelier, the resulting offspring would be a catalpa tree in bloom. Outrageously showy. Also called a "worm tree," at least in the Southeastern U.S., because the Catalpa moth (Ceratomia catalpae) lays its eggs on the leaves of this tree and nowhere else. Once the caterpillars hatch, they can strip a small catalpa tree of its leaves in the course of a couple of days. Make great fish bait, though, or so I hear ...
Notes:
Related spottings:<br>
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/28563004<br>
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/30680044
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Update: The beautiful, umbrella-shaped canopy of this tree was destroyed by straight-line winds in 2013. The tree, while still alive, is back to square one.
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Sole source of food for the catalpa sphinx moth (Ceratomia catalpae). When caterpillars are numerous, infested trees may be completely defoliated. Defoliated catalpas produce new leaves readily, but new foliage may be consumed by subsequent broods. Severe defoliation over several consecutive years can cause death of trees. Because the caterpillars are an excellent live bait for fishing, some dedicated anglers plant catalpa mini-orchards for their own private source of "catawba-worms," particularly in the southern states.
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