So Many Pinery Caterpillars!!!

We headed to Pinery Provincial Park on September 5th with the purpose of photographing caterpillars. Three hours of turning over leaves along one trail uncovered a multitude of caterpillar beauties! It was such a treat to slow down and find these remarkable creatures, including 2 io Moth caterpillars. The bristles on the io moth are stinging spines which release an irritating venom if touched.

We spent almost an hour on a 50 metre stretch of trail because of the abundance of caterpillars. We could still see our car at this point! Many caterpillar species grow throughout the summer and by fall, the caterpillars are mature, larger, and therefore easier to see. The Blinded Sphinx Moth is perfectly camouflaged with the leaves! 

Our target caterpillars were members of the Slug Moth genus, which are some of the most interesting caterpillars shown in the field guides. Although we never found the most bedazzled species, we managed to find 3 other Slug Moth Species! They are less than 1 cm in length and were always found on the under side of leaves. The individuals in the above photos are Crowned Slug Moths. We nicknamed them "Spike 1 and Spike 2"!

 Elegant-tailed Slug Moth

According to iNaturalist, this beauty is a Spotted Apatelodes Moth. It is a member of the Silkworm Moths. Young caterpillars are white, but as they mature, the hairs turn yellow. It will overwinter as a pupa.

https://www.mothidentification.com/spotted-apatelodes.htm

The larva of the Drexel's Datana Moth is often seen in a backwards-bending pose. It is believed this pose looks threatening to potential predators, thus helping to protect it.

https://newsblog.drexel.edu/2013/07/22/drexels-moth-goes-full-circle/

When Orange-tipped Oakworm caterpillars are ready to pupate in late summer/early fall, they crawl to the ground and dig a tunnel a few inches deep. Pupae remain in the ground until the following summer when the emerging adults burrow back to the surface and begin to fly!

https://www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/files/e2654.pdf

When disturbed, Yellow Necked Caterpillar Moth larvae raise up both ends of their body, holding onto the plant with only their abdominal prolegs...another example of trying to make themselves look big and scary!

https://www.whatsthatbug.com/yellow-necked-caterpillar-all-you-need-to-know/

Isabella Tiger Moth, often known as the Wooly Bear!

Definite Tussock Moth

Fall Webworm Moth

Milkweed Tussock Moth

The American Dagger caterpillar is dark yellow when it hatches from the egg. As it grows, it turns pale green, then eventually white in the last stage before pupating.

https://butterflyhobbyist.com/dagger-moth-caterpillar/

We found 35 Eastern Giant Swallowtail caterpillars, mostly feeding on Prickly Ash! They were at varying stages of growth and will overwinter as a pupa.

4 Giant Swallowtail Caterpillars are in the photo!

Angus' Datana Moth 

Red-lined Panopoda Moth - It was crawling up the wall of a building!