Bug of the Day

This very cool orange caterpillar is the Dogbane Saucrobotys (Saucrobotys futilalis). I typically see congregations of this species on the dogbane in my yard. This one was flying solo, perhaps because it was so close to pupating. Still eatin' tho! :-)

Dogbane Saucrobotys (Saucrobotys futialis), Newark DE. July 2017.  A common caterpillar on dogbane, dogbane saucrobotys forms a protective nest around the leaves it feeds on, primarily on dogbane and milkweed. It usually feeds in large numbers within the nest at earlier molts (instars). The conspicuous orange and black pattern of the caterpillar is supposed to advertise that the caterpillar is toxic to predators like birds, although this may just be a form of mimicry. 

Bug of the Day

I thought it was really cool to see that these Dogbane Saucrobotys (Saucrobotys futilalis) are only shaving off the top layer of the dogbane leaf.

Bug of the Day

Apparently we got a second generation of Dogbane Saucrobotys (Saucrobotys futilalis) this year, because I found them munching away again the other night...