You can identify green caterpillars by their size, specific markings, spines or spikes, and plant food they feed on. When trying to identify types of caterpillars, it's good to remember that they go through different stages of growth. Sometimes, baby larvae of green caterpillars can look different from mature caterpillars. This visual guide will take you through 32 different types of green caterpillars and help you identify them based on their size, coloring, and physical features (like stripes, spines, and horns), where they're commonly found, and what kind of plants, shrubs, and trees they like to feed on. Written by Linda Ly 5
Green Caterpillar Identification Guide 18 Common Types Owlcation
1. Io Moth Scientific name: Automeris io Automeris io is a colorful moth species found in most parts of North America. The caterpillars begin as red larvae but then turn bright green with many spines. These spines release a painful venom when touched, even slightly. Typically the pain is immediate, followed by itching. Green Cloverworm ( Hypena scabra) Diamondback Moth Caterpillar ( Plutella xylostella) Io Moth Caterpillar ( Automeris io) Rough Prominent Moth ( Nadata gibbosa) Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly ( Phoebis sennae) Crowned Slug caterpillar ( Isa textula) Oak Slug caterpillar ( Euclea delphinii) Fall Webworm ( Hyphantria cunea) Popularity Green caterpillars are common in backyard gardens with trees and vegetables during the early spring. They chew leaves and cause severe harm to the lovely plants in your garden. Effect on Plants These caterpillar species do little to no damage to crops and trees. Still, many are green or have green markings. Listed below are 10 types of green caterpillars and how to identify them. 1. Black Swallowtail Caterpillar Black swallowtail butterflies are beautiful, but before they transform into butterflies, they are bright and long caterpillars. These vibrant caterpillars are green, orange, yellow, and black.
Green Caterpillar Identification Guide 18 Common Types Owlcation
Nadata gibbosa or Rough Prominent Moth Caterpillar or White Dotted prominent lives in deciduous forests. The most common host plants are oak, poplar, rose, maple, alder, birch and chestnut. Young caterpillars are light green, and the color intensifies as the caterpillar approaches the pupation stage. Whether you're a young scientist looking for information for a project, a gardener with big green caterpillars all over your tomatoes, or you simply want to know what that thing crawling across your patio might be, there's something here for you. The beautiful black swallowtail caterpillar is often found on parsley or dill. 1 2 3 4 Fox moth When & where: June-April, most obvious in spring. Often heathland and coastal grassland. Description: Up to 7 cm long. Hairy, with long dark hairs on the sides of the body and shorter orange hairs on top. Young caterpillars are dark with orange bands. 1 2 3 4 Oak eggar When & where: August-June. Do you want to learn more about the amazing diversity of caterpillars? Use this interactive guide to identify caterpillars by their body features, host plants, and geographic regions. Explore the fascinating world of caterpillars with Discover Life.
Green Caterpillar Identification Guide 18 Common Types Owlcation
Bedstraw Hawk-Moth Caterpillar. It is a green hornworm caterpillar with dark green abdomen and bright creamy-yellow spots band along its body. The caterpillar can grow up to 8cm long. Other distinctive features for easy identification are arched red tail horn, bluish-green head, and black prolegs. Main Body Color Green caterpillars are obviously green in color, but the shade differs as per each individual type. Hence, the shade of green would help you identify a caterpillar better. Again, their size may be big or they may be very small. Main Body Pattern You also have to see the pattern of the caterpillars' body.
The monarch caterpillar ( Danaus plexippus) is quite easy to identify with its black, white, and yellow stripes. Monarch caterpillars gorge on milkweed which makes them poisonous to other birds and insects. Stripy monarch caterpillars grow to between 1" and 1.7" (2.5 - 4.5 cm) long. List Of Common Green Caterpillars With Identification Guide And Host Plants. Caterpillar Name: Appearance: Host Plants: Hickory Horned Devil Caterpillar: Color: Blue-green Markings: Small black protrusions Size: 12 to 15 cm They can be easily identified by the presence of large horn-like structures arising from near the head.
Green Caterpillar Identification Guide 18 Common Types Owlcation
Rustic Sphinx (bright green with a textured horn and diagonal yellow stripes outlined in purplish black or dark green) Banded Sphinx (green, yellow, or reddish pink with white-rimmed black spots and diagonal white stripes) Southern Flannel Moth (V)* (hairy caterpillars with long tails and no visible segments) It feeds on a variety of leaves, while other caterpillars feed only on a particular plant or group of plants. It has a blackhead which is clearly defined, as a round ball at the end of its body. Moreover, it is easy to identify because it has black and white spots from which you can notice thin white spikes or stiff bristles.
