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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Butterflies and Skippers (Papilionoidea) » Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae) » Crescents, Checkerspots, Anglewings, etc. (Nymphalinae) » Nymphalini » Ladies and Red Admiral (Vanessa) » West Coast Lady - Hodges#4436 (Vanessa annabella)
Photo#913680
Stinging Caterpillar? - Vanessa annabella
Copyright © 2014 hobbit223

Stinging Caterpillar? - Vanessa annabella
Temecula, Riverside County, California, USA
April 26, 2014
Size: 1.5 in
I found this stinging caterpillar (?) in Temecula wine country at sunset. It was hanging next to a chrysalis with another caterpillar in it.

Images of this individual: tag all
Stinging Caterpillar? - Vanessa annabella Stinging Caterpillar? - Vanessa annabella
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Contributed by hobbit223 on 26 April, 2014 - 11:57pm
Last updated 27 April, 2014 - 10:01am

Looks like a "West Coast Lady"
Vanessa annabella [or sometimes called Vanessa carye]

Vanessa caterpillars do not sting, but they do feed on Stinging Nettles (Urtica species), as well as on assorted Mallows.

The Painted Lady - Vanessa cardui - is very similar as immature stages and adults, and feeds on a wide variety of plants (mostly frequently on Thistles, and on Mallows).

Moved from ID Request.
… David J. Ferguson, 27 April, 2014 - 10:01am login or register to post comments

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