Observation date: October 14, 2011
Submitted by: csquare
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: These well camouflaged caterpillars were abundant on the Helianthus grosseseratus, but none at all on the Helianthus maximillianus 40 feet away. Sunny weather after extended drought in the area had broken. Many plants did not bloom well this year. These plants had been artificially watered.
Status: Resident
Verified by: kmortensen
Verified date: April 09, 2012
Coordinator notes: Great find! Wagner et al. say these are "local and uncommon" and that the first instars consume pollen, middle instars eat the flower, and the final instars perch below the flower and tunnel through the receptacle. The instars change from looking like and curling around the center of the flower to resting and looking like the dead flower or leaf so that they are always well camouflaged. Thanks for putting this species on the map!
