"Unidentified butterfly or moth caterpillar in the Virgin Islands," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NARA ID 166693082.
WE REMEMBER ERIC CARLE
By Miriam Kleiman, Public Affairs
In memory of children's book author Eric Carle, who died Sunday at age 91, we share an eclectic mix of caterpillar-related records from our holdings, including quotes from Founding Fathers Adams, Jefferson, and Franklin!
"Close view of Monarch butterfly larvae on Common Milkweed leaf," Fish and Wildlife Service, NARA ID 166712292.
Founding Fathers on very hungry caterpillars
All from FOUNDERS ONLINE, National Archives' National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
John Adams on very hungry caterpillars:
Having met naturalist Pierre Lyonnet, John Adams wrote to wife Abigail of his fascination with caterpillars:
Have you an Inclination to read and inspect Cutts of the Anatomy of Caterpillars—their Nerves, Blood, Juices, Bones, Hair, Senses, Intellects &c. &c.—Their moral Sense, their Laws, Government, Manners and Customs. I dont know whether he [Lyonnet] teaches the manner of destroying them, and Saving the Apple tree. I doubt not the Book is worth studying. All Nature is so.—But I have too much to do, to Study Men, and their mischievous Designs upon Apple Trees and other Things... (letter from John to Abigail, July 25, 1782).
Thomas Jefferson on very hungry caterpillars:
a caterpillar is devouring the crops of latter wheat Southwestwardly of us, and as far as this river. I have not heard of it further N. Eastwardly. it eats off the whole foliage, it also attacks the corn & tobacco, & indeed the weeds of various kinds. (letter from Jefferson to Madison, May 30 1806).
Ben Franklin on very hungry caterpillars:
We hear from several Parts of the Country, that infinite Multitudes of black Worms or Caterpillars coming out of the Earth, threaten Destruction to the late promising Crops of Corn and Grass; large Fields being in a Day or two cut down and devoured by them, and the Ground laid bare. (from Franklin's Gazette, May 27, 1742).
Monarch Butterfly Caterpillar, Fish and Wildlife Service, NARA ID 166698244.
First Lady Laura Bush reads “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” to kids in a Chicago hospital, 5/14/2001, Bush (43) Library, NARA ID 172544254.
