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Gilpinia hercyniae
This sawfly larva was feeding off of a coniferous tree. It had quite the mimicry to blend into those needles! I believe it has caused some damage to the conifer, of which you can see at photo four. Notice all of I looked through Wagner's caterpillar book, but could not find anything with the same head. This was because it is a sawfly larva. BugGuide is trying to ID it at the moment.
Spotted on Jun 7, 2012
Submitted on Jun 15, 2012
10 Comments
European Spruce Sawfly? Gilpinia hercyniae?
http://bugguide.net/node/view/336387/bgi...
UPDATE: BugGuide states this is not a moth or butterfly larva. It is a sawfly larva. They are trying to ID it at the moment.
Picture #4 is a picture of where he was. I took it as I went back to the location almost an hour later. I could not find him. I was using photo #4 to show the damage I think he did to the tree. He is quite difficult to ID; I can only find similar ones! None have the same head he does!
It must be hard to find since the caterpillar blend into those needles...
Where in picture #4 is he?
Thanks Karen! I just noticed that the needles have the same pattern as the caterpillar--two white lines along each side! I do remember...is this not characteristic of the Hemlock? Thanks again, everyone!
Great spot Jacob!
Thanks Lars! I thought it was just a strange needle at first!
Thanks Stian! I was quite surprised to find this!
good eye, jgorneau
Nice pictures jgorneau!