Caterpillar-white, orange, black, spiny - Hemileuca nevadensis

Moved

… john and jane balaban, 6 August, 2008 - 4:54pm

Hemileuca nevadensis

I know the big larvae of this species better than the little ones, but dark and variable is typical. Basically black and white with bits of red, orange, or yellow here and there (often on the spines) is the jist of the coloration. No two look identical, and this one looks fine for the species (but quite striking). It is recorded from Michigan, and it eats Willow. This plant appears to be Salix interior (but I might be wrong), which it really likes. I don't think you can positively identify caterpillars of any of the black and white "Buck Moths" that feed mostly on Willow or Oak based on photos alone, but often location will do the job.

… David J. Ferguson, 21 July, 2008 - 3:04pm

Moved

Moved from Butterflies and Moths.

… john and jane balaban, 22 September, 2007 - 12:23pm

bah

I blame my computer for that sorry display :P.
Apologies. How can I delete two of those?

… Bobby Grizzard, 30 June, 2007 - 3:42pm

Is that willow?

If so, my ID is Hemileuca nevadensis, based on Wagner p. 240. Here is an image from google.

I think this would be a new species for the guide. Hope someone will confirm, otherwise it will be one of many sad orphans on the genus page ;(.

… Bobby Grizzard, 30 June, 2007 - 3:40pm

Unfortunately can't delete comments

but you can edit them and remove all the text except something like Ignore - deleted comment.
Not sure that we know how to distinguish nevada from regular H. maia, pg 239. We would say it actually looks more like the third image of maia than nevada. Wagner also states that after the third instar the caterpillars move and consume many different kinds of woody plants, so it sounds like it wouldn't be unusual to find maia on willow, as long as there are oaks nearby.

… john and jane balaban, 30 June, 2007 - 8:58pm

OK, I'll consider it Hemileuc

OK, I'll consider it Hemileuca sp. I kept it hoping to rear out, but it went wandering again.

I truly appreciate the informed comment I get on postings to bugguide--thanks.

… David Cappaert, 30 June, 2007 - 9:39pm

Yes, willow

This was the single caterpillar I found on a tiny willow plant in an extensive stand.

… David Cappaert, 30 June, 2007 - 4:45pm

ignore

deleted comment

… Bobby Grizzard, 30 June, 2007 - 3:40pm

ignore

deleted

… Bobby Grizzard, 30 June, 2007 - 3:39pm