[TN-Butterflies] A carnivorous caterpillar
- From: klight10@xxxxxxxxxxx
- To: TN Butterflies <TN-Butterflies@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, tn-moths-bounce TN Moth Group <tn-moths@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 11:20:16 +0000 (UTC)
My husband and I went hiking at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville on Sunday. A
large Smilax (greenbriar) vine was hanging from a tree near the trail. I
noticed it was infested with large gray aphids; one section of the aphids was
clear, however. When I looked more closely, I saw a 1" caterpillar that was
eating the aphids! I posted it on Bugguide and learned it was a Harvester
butterfly caterpillar. Here is the link to a photo of it that I posted on my
blog:
http://blog.easttennesseewildflowers.com/
I have seen other aphids on my milkweed leaves being eaten by syrphid fly
larvae, but I was surprised to learn that some caterpillars also eat them. That
is what I love about nature, there is always something exciting and new to
learn! :)
Kris Light
Oak Ridge
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