The Caterpillar Hunter

Research, restoration, and cool pics about little things that run the world.

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When food is scarce, monarch butterfly caterpillars go from docile to domineering. The results look something like a combination of boxing and 'bumper' cars. The less food, the more likely caterpillars were to try to head-butt each other out of the way to get their fill, lunging and knocking aside other caterpillars to ensure their own survival. And, they are most aggressive right before the final stages of their metamorphosis.

SCIENCE SUNDAY

For those interested in seeing caterpillar-on-caterpillar action, check the video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY228FXwOgw

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These Insect Costume Designers are Dressed to Impress

Trick or treat? From colorful ornaments to foamy bubbles to piles of "junk," find inspiration for your next Halloween costume from the world of insects.

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Happy World Bee Day to all. Just a friendly reminder to our folks in the U.S., remember that native pollinators are in decline and deserve your consideration too. Plant native host plants on your property, reduce your dependence on lawns and pesticides whenever possible, and consider the construction of scientifically-sound “bee hotels”. 

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Imperial moth (Eacles imperialis), Fishers Island, NY, July 2018. 

With the spring semester at an end, and maintaining social isolation, I’m going through old photos that I haven’t uploaded or only uploaded to iNaturalist. 

The coloration of imperial moths are believed to serve as a form of crypsis (camouflage), as the golden yellow and brown speckling pattern mimics the appearance of dead leaves when at rest. This species is somewhat sexually dimorphic, with the males appearing to have more abundant and darker speckling on their forewings than the females. 

 As caterpillars, they feed on many deciduous trees, including basswood, birch, elm, hickory, locust, maple, oak, sassafras, sweetgum, sycamore, and walnut. They also can feed on evergreen trees like cypress, cedar, and pine. During my time in the Mid-Atlantic, they showed a preference for white pine and oak. The adults, in comparison do not feed, lasting for only a short time (a matter of 2-3 days) to find a mate.  One generation in the eastern US, with adults by mid-summer, and eggs into August. Caterpillars overwinter as pupae in the soil.

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Legendary entomologist Terry Erwin passes away at age 79

We lost a big one in the entomological field. I would teach my students about Dr. Erwin’s work on biodiversity in the tropics, and how we came to understand just how numerous and rich insects were compared to other organisms on this planet. He will be missed. 

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The Day aims to raise awareness on the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development.

World bee day is coming next Wednesday (May 20th). What will you do to support native pollinators in your own neck of the woods? Will you encourage others to plant native species on their properties?  Will you advocate for bee-friendly lawns by reducing your use of pesticides?  Will you support honey-growers, apiarists, and sustainable farmers by purchasing local honey and bee-products?  Think about how you can do your part, especially in the face of global insect decline, for pollinating insects. Check the link for more information. 

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No, Americans Do Not Need to Panic About 'Murder Hornets'

The Asian giant hornet, seen for the first time in North America in 2019, is unlikely to murder you or U.S. bees, according to a Smithsonian entomologist

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted, largely due to the amount of work that comes with being a first-year entomology professor. However, I am more than happy to share information from trusted colleagues when it comes to providing folks with factual information on insects. So, please consider taking the opportunity to read into this article and educate yourself on what folks have been calling “murder hornets”, and the strange tidal wave of emails all of us ento folks have been receiving these past few weeks. 

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Impact of Invasive Japanese Barberry Cascades Through Local Food Webs

Invasive Japanese barberry significantly reduces diversity and numbers of insects and arthropods in forests, according to new research. The ripple effects can extend upward throughout local ecosystems, even affecting human health via an increased presence of Lyme disease.

SCIENCE SUNDAY A topic near and dear to my heart, investigating the impact of a non-native plant species on arthropod food webs. 

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Silent and Deadly: Fatal Farts Immobilize Prey

This tiny insect lurks in the nests of termites, farting on their unsuspecting prey.

SCIENCE SUNDAY A bit of a weird one, but for context, a conversation on a entomology forum triggered a conversation about “do insects fart?” Eventually the discussion led to this gem from 2015. Hope y’all enjoy it!

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Turbulent phosphila (Phosphila turbulenta) caterpillars. Fishers Island NY, August 2018.

As mentioned in a previous post, younger molts (instars) of the turbulent phosphila will gather (aggregate) to feed on their host plant. This group was perhaps 30 ft from the late instars, likely from separate parents.

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Science Sunday!

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Turbulent phosphila (Phosphila turbulenta) caterpillars. Fishers Island NY, August 2018. At younger molts, Turbulent phosphila tend to be gregarious, feeding together in large groups. As they mature into their final molts, however, they become solitary feeders. Their adult form is a mottled brown, mimicking the appearance of tree bark to hide during the day.

Caterpillars in this genus feed exclusively on greenbriar (Smilax spp.), and can be found in large numbers where the vines grow thick, usually on the undersides of leaves.

One generation in the Mid-Atlantic. Caterpillars are abundant by mid-summer.

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Blackberry looper (Chlorochlamys chloroleucaria), August 2018, Newark DE. 

Despite the caterpillar’s name, this species feeds on more than just blackberries. Most larvae collected in the Mid-Atlantic region can actually be found on asters, like this black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia hirta). The caterpillars feed on the petals as they develop, often hiding beneath the uneaten flowerparts to avoid becoming a meal for birds (although not all of the loopers make it in time!). On blackberry, however, they will feed on both flowers and fruit. 

At least two generations in the Mid-Atlantic, with caterpillars in late May to June and again in August to September. Larvae overwinter. 

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Harlequin bug (Murgantia histrionica), Newark DE, August 2018.

This species is sometimes referred to as the calico bug for its orange and black coloration, making it a pretty addition to any entomologist’s collection (like myself!). For many gardeners, however, its presence sparks concern, as its piercing-sucking mouthparts can drain the juices from plant tissues and cause wilting and early rot. Cabbage plants often turn brown following harlequin bug attack and appear as though the plant had been burnt, hence the bug’s other moniker: fire bug.

A common pest of gardens in the southern US, the harlequin bug was first detected in Texas in the 19th century. As a feeder of native mustard plants (family Brassicaceae, which includes cabbage, kale, and cauliflower, among others), it spread northward from central america through the expanse of agricultural crops and is now encountered as far north as southern Canada. 

Multiple generations, depending on the growing season. A single generation may take up to two months. 

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Host a Congressional Visit at Your Research Facility

Showing your legislators your science in an interactive, hands-on setting can help them see how entomology affects policy decisions, and vice versa.

A belated SCIENCE SUNDAY for all of you (and kudos to my former labmate at UD for setting this up!)

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The Hebrew (Polygrammate hebraeicum), Fishers Island NY, July 2018. 

Allegedly, the name of this moth comes from the markings on its forewings that bear similarity to characters in the Hebrew alphabet. The patterning may also help the moth blend into the background of lichen-covered trees or rocks during daylight hours.  The Hebrew (I did not come up with this name) is considered a specialist, recognizing only one species or lineage of plant as a food source. Caterpillars of the Hebrew moth feed exclusively on black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica). 

Multiple generations in the Northeast, with adults common in June through August. Caterpillars overwinter as pupae. 

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Wild bees are indispensable pollinators, supporting both agricultural productivity and the diversity of flowering plants worldwide.

SCIENCE SUNDAY