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Black Caterpillar ID
Posted: Mon Jun 03, 2024 11:42 pm
by gry
I saw this unusual caterpillar at the base of my giant silver maple tree this morning in Green Bay, WI. Anyone know what kind it is?
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Re: Black Caterpillar ID
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2024 3:41 pm
by kevinkk
Nice to see an actual inquiry about an insect here.
Probably a moth larva, perhaps a Noctuid or Geometrid, assuming I spelled those correctly from memory. Typically, larva don't leave host plants-
(and it may not have been the maple), until they are ready to pupate, hence the dark color, typically.
Re: Black Caterpillar ID
Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2024 3:41 am
by gry
kevinkk wrote: Tue Jun 04, 2024 3:41 pm
Nice to see an actual inquiry about an insect here.
Probably a moth larva, perhaps a Noctuid or Geometrid, assuming I spelled those correctly from memory. Typically, larva don't leave host plants-
(and it may not have been the maple), until they are ready to pupate, hence the dark color, typically.
Thanks so much! I think it is a Noctuid moth larva, specifically Eupsilia.