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Photo#901840
Caterpillar - Melipotis

Caterpillar - Melipotis
Death Valley National Park, Cow Creek, Donnie Lane, Inyo County, California, USA
March 16, 2014
This caterpillar was feeding on Honey Mesquite leaves outside a Park employee's house.

Images of this individual: tag all
Caterpillar - Melipotis Caterpillar - Melipotis Caterpillar - Melipotis Caterpillar - Melipotis Caterpillar - Melipotis

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

Melipotis
John/Jane, what do you think about this being Melipotis jucunda? The host plant isn't quite what I'd expect unless we back up to a general legume feeder.

 
Yes, definitely looks like a Melipotis,
but we don't know how one would know which one???

 
Possibilities
Looks like choices for CA are M. indomita, M. jucunda, and possibly M. acontioides. Indomita seems to have a mostly/all black head. Venter description and head pattern don't match well for acontioides. M. novanda might be another possibility but distribution seems to be further south.

Dorsal and lateral
and a good shot of the face are all good. Actually even a ventral might help. Thanks

 
Images are posted. The caterp
Images are posted. The caterpillar was small

 
I'll take two cameras and see
I'll take two cameras and see what turns out. I'll post the images in the morning.

Looks like it has too many pair of abdominal prolegs
for a Geometrid. Guessing this is something near Catocala. We'll take a look there.

 
They are still on the tree. A
They are still on the tree. Are there any better angles for diagnostic field marks? I can get them before the sun goes down tonight.

perhaps Geometrid, reminds me of Lambdina

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