yellow caterpillar? - Acronicta retardata

Reminds us of

Acronicta retardata - Retarded Dagger Moth. See

. ooops! two links at the same time!

… john and jane balaban, 10 April, 2006 - 6:47pm

Dead Heat!!!

Bob Patterson

… Bob Patterson, 10 April, 2006 - 6:53pm

Possibly a Retarded Dagger Moth larva

...see example in Guide

Where is this boardwalk in Lake County? I visit there at least once per year and am always looking for new locations at which to photograph bugs.

… Bob Patterson, 10 April, 2006 - 6:47pm

boardwalk

Hi Bob,

It is in Hickory Point Park (where the big boat ramp is!)off State Road 19 before you get to Howey in the Hills on Lake Harris.
I never knew they had the boardwalk until today.
It runs along the lake shore through a swampy cypress area.
Even after 40 days of no rain - there was still water underneath the walkway. I was the only one there today - so I guess most people just go for the boat ramp.
It was very windy - and all kinds of bugs were just perched perfectly on the hand rail.
If you go there, you must see another park, Tavares Nature Park. It is tucked away off of St. Rd. 19 behind Billy's Cafe. We went Saturday & I got a photo of a tough Florida Scrub Lizard - and on our way out got within 15' of a Coyote! We scared him as much as he scared us!
A beautiful animal to see so close. Unfortunatly I wasn't quick enough with the camera to get a photo...
Tavares Nature Park also has a small boardwalk along Lake Dora, but has even more nature trails on 100 acres. It ends up in white sand scrub - so you can get a variety of eco-systems in one short walk.

Hope you enjoy them!
Sharon

… Sharon, 10 April, 2006 - 7:00pm

Hi Sharon

.... Billy's Cafe is on our itinerary for our trip to FL in June! Thanks for the tip. I am very familiar with Hickory Point. See my March 2005 Report for our visit there (I need to put names under some of the photos). Check with the Lake County Water Authority (352) 343-3777 to find out the nights the pavilion will be in use and lighted up. Bugs flock to the screens and I have scooped up many moths there. Insects remain on the screens into the next morning, and are also found between the stones on the various columns. At the end of the boardwalk there is a dike path that leads back (to the right) to the parking lot. Go left, instead, to the mulch pile and walk around to the left to the orange grove. The weedy area between the grove and the swamp has many wildflowers, and teems with moths, dragonflies and lots of beetles.

… Bob Patterson, 10 April, 2006 - 7:28pm

nature walks

Bob,

Since you will be in the area - here is another spot to try...

Sarah Maude Mason Nature Walk
Off Lakeshore Drive and Buckhill Road
Howey-in-the-Hills, FL 34737
Phone: (352) 324-2290

… Sharon, 10 April, 2006 - 7:47pm