Viceroy Caterpillars eat plants that are rich in salicylic acid, which they store in their bodies. Interestingly, this isn’t the Viceroy’s only protection against predators. This is by design their lumpy, mottled appearance makes them look like bird droppings, warding off predators! Viceroy Caterpillars are one of the ugliest caterpillars in Massachusetts! The preferred host plants of Viceroy Caterpillars are willow, poplar, and cottonwood trees.The chrysalis also resembles bird droppings hanging from a tree branch. Two dark-colored horns on the head and small spines on the body.The coloring is mottled brown or green and white to resemble bird droppings.Just don’t expect them to take over for your meteorologist! □ Look for them in groups near the base of plants. Woolly Bear Caterpillars and their adult-form, Isabella Tiger Moths, are found in incredibly varied climates, even the Arctic! Because they will eat almost anything, including herbs, tree leaves, and grasses, they can be found pretty much anywhere plants are growing. It’s best to observe the species without touching them, just in case. Their hairs don’t contain any toxins or irritants, but some people are sensitive to the hairs and may get a slight rash if they touch one. You may have heard that Woolly Bear Caterpillars are venomous, but this isn’t entirely true. They have a unique chemical in their blood that allows them to thaw out and continue in the spring as if nothing happened! That’s to say, they don’t hibernate at all! Instead of burrowing or pupating to escape the cold, Woolly Bears allow themselves to freeze solid. The most fascinating thing about Woolly Bears is the way they hibernate. But there’s plenty of other interesting facts about this cute little caterpillar! Woolly Bears are generalist feeders, meaning they will live on and eat nearly any plant!Īs a kid, I can remember hearing tons of stories about Woolly Bear caterpillars – and the coolest part about them is that most of the stories are true! One myth you might have heard is that Woolly Bears can predict the type of winter we’ll have.As its name suggests, the Woolly Bear caterpillar is covered in dense, coarse hairs.Coloring is black with a wide rusty-red band in the middle. Boring through heads of cabbage and making huge dents in broccoli are no problem for this Very Hungry Caterpillar!Ĭabbageworms grow into Cabbage White Butterflies, which are one of the most abundant butterflies in Massachusetts! If you see a white butterfly in the spring, chances are it’s a Cabbage White! One reason Cabbageworms are so damaging is that they are voracious eaters! They can easily skeletonize entire plants, eating everything but the toughest stems and midveins. Plant covers, regular weeding, and varied plantings can all help with preventing this hungry invader! For a home gardener, the best way to deal with Cabbageworms is to prevent a large infestation. Cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower are all susceptible to damage. It was introduced in shipments of cabbage and other brassica plants and soon became an invasive species.Ĭabbageworms are considered agricultural pests and can do severe damage to crops to their host plants. In Massachusetts, this species is often called the Imported Cabbageworm because it isn’t native to North America.
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