Long-Tailed Skipper Caterpillar

Description:

It lays white or yellow eggs, singly or in small clusters, which hatch into a caterpillar with a yellowish body and large, dark head. After two to three weeks, the caterpillar forms a pupa. Its pupa is contained in a rolled leaf and covered in fine bluish hairs. The pupa stage may last from one to three weeks, after which the adult emerges. The caterpillar of this skipper is a common pest of crops, especially beans, in the southern United States. For this reason, it is sometimes called the bean leafroller in that area. The caterpillars are also known to attack ornamental plants in the legume family such as wisteria and butterfly pea. The caterpillars feed on leaves and then roll the leaves around themselves, lining the cavity with silk, to pupate. The adults feed on nectar from flowers. Wikipedia

Habitat:

My school garden: On Green Bean plants

Notes:

Photos 4 & 5 show the leaves rolled up. The caterpillars hide within. Though they eat the leaves a bit they really don't affect bean production...and the kids love to see them!