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Photo#1727291
Caterpillar on Columbine - Chloridea virescens

Caterpillar on Columbine - Chloridea virescens
Eugene, Lane County, Oregon, USA
September 14, 2019
Found many of these on the Columbine, Aquilegia formosa, in the backyard. After some observation, I found this one, and discovered they chew a hole in the side of a developing seed pod and eat the seeds inside.

I watched one eat where the nectar is stored on the flower, but wasn't sure if it was just looking for seeds in the wrong place.

I've kept the largest one I could find separate from the others, bringing a bunch of the plant, flowers, and seeds with it as well. Hopefully I'll be able to get this one to full size if it can't be identified before that.

I've seen them maybe two years ago, but I don't think any of them survived due to being out and about too late in the season.


UPDATE: I've been feeding it, and it has been both eating and pooping a ton. About 10 days ago (Sept. 26th) it went underground in the container I put it in. I thought it may be pupating underground, but I checked on it 7 days ago (Sept. 29th) and it was just curled up underground. It has been underground ever since. Is it intending to hibernate, and if so do I need to make sure the temperature gets low enough?

Images of this individual: tag all
Caterpillar on Columbine - Chloridea virescens Tobacco Budworm Moth? - Chloridea virescens Tobacco Budworm Moth? - Chloridea virescens Tobacco Budworm Moth? - Chloridea virescens Tobacco Budworm Moth? - Chloridea virescens Tobacco Budworm Moth? - Chloridea virescens

Moved

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

Heliothinae
likely Chloridea

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