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Stout Spanworm Moth

Lycia ursaria

Description:

Caterpillar about 1 1/4 long. Purplish coloration with yellow bands and darker stripes.

Habitat:

Forest, on stinging nettles.

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10 Comments

LaurenZarate
LaurenZarate 9 years ago

What a striking color for a caterpillar! Great find.

LuckyLogan
LuckyLogan 9 years ago

Thanks ingrid and Jason. I was really surprised find such a colorful caterpillar almost out of nowhere

Jason Alexander
Jason Alexander 9 years ago

Extraordinary!

Ingrid3
Ingrid3 9 years ago

adorable little guy!

LuckyLogan
LuckyLogan 9 years ago

Thanks Dan and Sckel! I think I found the ID. Lycia ursaria looks very similar. This one seems more purple though...

Sckel
Sckel 9 years ago

omg. it's beautiful

Dan Doucette
Dan Doucette 9 years ago

Wow! Don't think I've ever seen a purple caterpillar.

Stephanie R.
Stephanie R. 9 years ago

I will definitely take a closer look at the stinging nettles. Normally I try to stay away from them:)

LuckyLogan
LuckyLogan 9 years ago

Thanks Stephanie! Yea, last winter flipping through some of my moth and butterfly guilds I realized that nettles are host plant to tons of different species. Found this Linden Looper Moth Cat on nettles too. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/385...

Stephanie R.
Stephanie R. 9 years ago

Beautiful photos Logan! I will be checking out the stinging nettles in my area!

LuckyLogan
Spotted by
LuckyLogan

Iowa, USA

Spotted on Jun 4, 2014
Submitted on Jun 14, 2014

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