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Photo#178757
Caterpillar - Vanessa cardui

Caterpillar - Vanessa cardui
Sand Springs, Osage County, Oklahoma, USA
April 23, 2008
Size: 6mm (1/4")
I found these all over the plant shown in the third picture. They were in very small, fine webs. I'm trying to find an ID for the plant in the third pic. If anyone knows what it is please comment. But, these caterpillars are only found on these plants. There are many other woodland plants around but they were only on this one plant. Please help with ID.

Agree with thistle
I agree that this is a thistle (Cirsium). I also agree that it looks like C. discolor (lobed leaves with green upper/white undersides), but the PLANTS database does not include that species in Oklahoma. There are other species of thistle in Oklahoma with discolor leaf traits (perhaps C. undulatum?). The exact species of thistle likely does not matter to the Painted Lady anyway.

The plant appears to be thistle
Cirsium discolor, which leads us to suspect that your cat is the Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui

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