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Project Noah Nature School
Phosphila turbulenta
about 1.5", striped black and white, edges orange, social caterpillars on a smilax sp. vine.
Carolinian forest
This was my first spotting in my first national park I've been to in Canada, Point Peelee. Amazing park and despite being late in the season, I managed some good spots in just a few days.
will they kill smilax? please say yes. I will p[ay you ANYTHING (so long as they don't harm other vine or roses) to get a natural killer of smilax!!!
Thanks for the information Diane, these are a truly interesting caterpillar. Thank you for the comment tibiprada.
Sole host plant for these larvae is greenbrier also called catbrier (Smilax). They are very gregarious until later instar. It is suggested that they are chemically protected. The large false head is at the rear of the larva.
Nope, no smiles unfortunately, but they are still very social, enjoying each others company.
Thanks for all the great comments and Keith for the ID. These were definitely some of the coolest caterpillars I've seen.
Those look so cute in a group, most of the ones here look scary (& have itch causing hairs all over them).
Spotted on Sep 15, 2012
Submitted on Sep 16, 2012
