The bright colors of spring’s blooms have faded into the inviting shades of early summer. While spring’s brilliance stands in stark contrast to winter’s muted tones, summer has an easy and inviting appearance.
Still, there are splashes and patches of bright foliage in all parts of panhandle Florida. Tropical sage, for example, adds red flowers to the green backgrounds all across the area.
Some insect residents are doing the same thing, but in less concentrated splotches. Colorful caterpillars are currently preparing to become butterflies and moths, some of which will be flamboyant additions to the landscape.
It is likely to be a good summer in 2024 for caterpillars. Last winter was mild enough that few eggs were lost, and the spring has been sufficiently moist to promote the growth of the plants necessary to feed the plethora of these soon-to-be flying artworks.
Colorful caterpillars have already begun their season long feasting on local foliage. The gnawed-off leaves are a good clue they are dining on the home landscape. This orange dog caterpillar will chew on citrus leaves until it pupates and becomes a large, colorful swallowtail butterfly.
To reach the adult phase, these small creatures will be chewing on leaves, stems, blooms, and vegetables. The other problem class for landscapes are the piercing, sucking insects such as stinkbugs and aphids.
It is important to understand most caterpillars feed on a specific, or select genus of plants, and in some cases only one type of plant. With few exceptions, they are not the Biblical plague which strips the landscape bare of all plants and trees.
The exceptions, such as armyworms and cutworms, promptly attract the attention of gardeners, ranchers and flocks of birds, all of which react quickly. These hordes of nascent moths and butterflies are a nuisance because they are attracted to vast quantities of a crop monoculture, and they usually reproduce quickly.
Fortunately, there are other caterpillars with much better reputations, at least in north Florida. One is the orange dog caterpillar which can be a problem in Florida’s orange producing region given its diet of only citrus leaves.
As a means of camouflage, the mature caterpillar resembles bird droppings, dingy brown and olive green with large white blobs and small purple patches. They also have red osmeterium or horns which they project when threatened, emitting a foul odor.
From this incongruous appearance, this caterpillar transforms into a giant swallowtail butterfly. Its wingspan reaches four inches with a distinctive black and yellow pattern.
The saddleback caterpillars are mainly green with a brown area at both ends, and a prominent, white-ringed brown oval in the body’s center which resembles a saddle. To add a bit of freakishness to their appearance, they have well placed defensive spines which can inflict painful stings.
This “punk rock” appearing caterpillar can be found in a variety of foliage, as they feed on a large selection of plants. The moths produced are a non-descript dark brown and are stout bodied.
The White-Marked Tussock Caterpillar favors the area’s oak trees. Its four white tufts are carried on its back and offset the black horns and tail.
The bright red bulbous head is located just below the black horns and is in stark contrast to the remainder of the body. Their hairs are a noted allergen for any unlucky person who contacts them.
All of these and many more caterpillars are active in the region during June. Caution is advised because some do produce a sting.
Control methods vary, and in reality, may not be necessary if the damage to the trees or plants is minor.
Panhandle Florida without the highly visible insect larvae, butterflies and moths would be a different, but not necessarily better place.
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