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Asteroid Caterpillars

Cucullia asteroids

Published on Project Noah
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40.8684, -75.608

Field Notes

Description:

Family: Noctuidae, Subfamily: Cuculliinae. (Hooded Owlets) Larva of Goldenrod Hooded Owlet Moth. Length: 2 inches long (51 mm). Variety of colors including green/yellow/black stripes, purple/red, yellow and black stripes, yellow with thick black stripes, green and yellow with thick black stripes, yellow with thin black stripes. Feeding on white asters.(5 different caterpillars)

Habitat:

Small meadow that used to be yard two years ago with abundant clovers, reeds, asters and goldenrod.

Notes:

It has been an amazing year for Asteroid caterpillars finding 14 in all. I found these all at the same time on two white aster plants next to each other. I am amazed at the variety of colors. I brought them home and took some night flash photos of them actively feeding. (Researching this caterpillar brought me to Project Noah 2 years ago.)

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (3)

Thanks so much Luis. And thanks Ingrid for your encouragement. I can't wait until next summer!
Hooray for eschewing the "traditional" yard! giving homes to these guys is so worth it! Why would anyone want a monoculture on their property when they can have all of these BEAUTIES! Spread the good word!

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