The Transformers

Way to Grow The Transformers MANY CHARMING BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS SPEND THEIR YOUTH AS PLANT-MUNCHING CATERPILLARS. GET TO KNOW THEM AS LARVAE AND ADULTS, AND LEARN WHAT DAMAGE THEY DO. IMPORTED PARSLEYWORM GYPSY MOTH CABBAGEWORM Alter egos: Black swallowtail, Papilio CATERPILLAR Alter egos: Cabbage white, Pieris rapae polyxenes Alter egos: Gypsy moth, Lymantria Known hangouts: Broccoli, kale, Known hangouts: Parsley, carrots, dill, dispar brussels sprouts, and other members of and fennel Known hangouts: Many common land- the cabbage family. They pupate in winter Key to ID: The parsleyworm’s alternat- scape trees, including apple, birch, oak, on decaying garden plants and weeds. ing bands of green and black with and cherry Key to ID: Cabbage whites are among yellow spots make the worm appear Key to ID: Each caterpillar has five pairs the first butterflies you see each spring, almost as striking as the black butter- of blue spots followed by six pairs of red and the last ones to still be active in fall. flies’ bright yellow or blue spots. spots along its back. The male moths are The males have one spot on each wing; Damage: While you may admire the brown and able to fly, while the females females have two. parsleyworms’ beautiful markings, they are white or off-white and do not fly. Damage: The cabbageworms chew swiftly reduce leafy stalks of parsley and Damage: A heavy infestation of gypsy holes in the deep recesses of leafy crops. fennel to bare twigs. moth caterpillars can defoliate and kill even a large oak tree. TOMATO HORNWORM Alter egos: Five-spotted hawkmoth, CORN EARWORM Manduca quinquemaculata Alter egos: Tomato fruitworm, bollworm, TENT CATERPILLAR Known hangouts: Tomatoes and all Helicoverpa zea Alter egos: Malacosoma spp. their kin, including peppers, eggplant, Known hangouts: Many farm and Known hangouts: Apple, cherry, and other and potatoes garden crops, including corn, tomatoes, fruit trees, and woody plants of all kinds Key to ID: The caterpillar has a dark and cotton Key to ID: Clusters of the caterpillars live “horn” at its tail end. Five-spotted hawk- Key to ID: The caterpillars’ colors vary inside whitish, silky tents they construct moths are one of the few that are active as they mature, with bodies that can be between tree branches. The tents can be during the day, feeding on the nectar of brown, green, pink, or yellow. Spines on its up to 2 feet long. flowers such as phlox and petunias. back and a light-colored head distinguish Damage: The multiple caterpillars that Damage: With the camouflage of their it from the similar-looking fall armyworm. emerge from a single tent can consume green color, hornworms hide under Damage: Corn earworms don’t feed on 20 percent of a small tree’s leaves, weak- leaves and on stems, chewing them up just one ear of corn or tomato, but take a ening the tree and leaving it vulnerable to and even biting into unripe fruit. few bites and then move on to another. stresses of all kinds. REMEMBER: NOT ALL BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS PRODUCE PEST CATERPILLARS. THE STRIKING AND BELOVED MONARCH BUTTERFLY, FOR INSTANCE, ALWAYS LAYS ITS EGGS ON MILKWEED, THE ONLY PLANT THAT ITS CATERPILLARS EAT. .

Load more