As I was walking home from work yesterday, in almost exactly the same spot that I found the White-marked Tussock Moth caterpillar a couple of weeks ago, I found this little beauty. It is an American Dagger Moth Acronicta americana caterpillar.
The picture above shows it in a characteristic resting position, with the head wrapped around to one side. This caterpillar has a broad range of food plants including alder, ash, birch, elm, maple and oak.
There have been incidences of Dagger Moth caterpillars excavating into wood sidings to pupate so don't be fooled by the white fluffy exterior, they are prodigious chewers!Photo Credits - CJT
2 comments:
Oh dear and we have cedar shake on our house. Occasionally a woodpecker will drum or go after some of the insects. Kind of cute little caterpillars..Michelle
Michelle - they do look almost cuddly don't they?
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