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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Pyralid and Crambid Snout Moths (Pyraloidea) » Crambid Snout Moths (Crambidae) » Pyraustinae » Pyraustini » Saucrobotys » Dogbane Saucrobotys - Hodges#4936 (Saucrobotys futilalis)
Photo#1294612
Caterpillar on basil - Saucrobotys futilalis
Copyright © 2016 digginflowers

Caterpillar on basil - Saucrobotys futilalis
Cornwall, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA
September 19, 2016
The caterpillar was not seen eating the basil. Only a little frass was found. Perhaps it was traveling to pupate. I would appreciate any suggestions of an ID since I have not had success with my research.
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Contributed by digginflowers on 19 September, 2016 - 5:10pm
Last updated 19 September, 2016 - 8:41pm

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… john and jane balaban, 19 September, 2016 - 8:41pm login or register to post comments

Pyraustinae
I suspect (but am not certain) that this is a Crambid caterpillar.

One possibility is the dogbane saucrobotys(Saucrobotys futilalis, but I can't ID for sure.

If you click the image below, there's a series showing this species from caterpillar through pupa to moth:


However, as far as I know, this species feeds only on dogbane (Apocynum -- has rounded oval leaves and sometimes a reddish stem). If there's no dogbane growing anywhere nearby, a dogbane saucrobotys would be less likely. (EDIT: Oops, I'm late to the party...if you have dogbane, sounds like a good match!)

There are other Crambids that feed on mint-family plants (including basil), but I didn't see any that had this deep mustard color to them.
… MosquitoBait, 19 September, 2016 - 7:11pm login or register to post comments

Do you have Dogbane nearby?
Looks like
… john and jane balaban, 19 September, 2016 - 6:42pm login or register to post comments

 
Yes, we have several plants.
Yes, we have several plants.
Thank you very much !
… digginflowers, 19 September, 2016 - 6:58pm login or register to post comments

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