Is this caterpillar bad for my garden?
General State College, PA
I saw this caterpillar in my vegetable garden in the grass. It is yellow with small black spots and a brownish head. It is about 3/4 inch (2cm) long. Is this one that is beneficial or harmful? Can anyone identify it?
Posted
by: Ruth Nissly
(6 points)
Posted: May 13, 2014
Answers
Hard to say what it is. I think it is Silverspotted skipper. see here http://ipm.missouri.edu/ipm_pubs/ipm1...
It is listed as having a restricted diet but I would just assume it is bad for your vegetables. Obviously keep checking your plants for damage and remove caterpillars you see (relocating them to some other part of the garden is nice)
It is listed as having a restricted diet but I would just assume it is bad for your vegetables. Obviously keep checking your plants for damage and remove caterpillars you see (relocating them to some other part of the garden is nice)
Posted
by: David Hughes
(67 points)
Posted: May 13, 2014
Tanya in the Garden commented,
Never assume! If it is the silver-spotted skipper, it feeds on woody legumes, such as honey locust and black locust trees. I'd classify it as beneficial.
If you want butterflies in your garden, you have to tolerate some herbivory by the caterpillars. almost 10 years ago.
Never assume! If it is the silver-spotted skipper, it feeds on woody legumes, such as honey locust and black locust trees. I'd classify it as beneficial.
If you want butterflies in your garden, you have to tolerate some herbivory by the caterpillars. almost 10 years ago.
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