Beech Creek Butterfly House

In mid-July, we attended an outing with our church kids to visit the Beech Creek Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve in Alliance, OH.  There were lots of butterflies, but even more caterpillars.

One of the volunteers unfurled a spicebush leaf to reveal this Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar.  These caterpillars spin a bit of silk, curling the leaf over themselves for a hiding place.  Preferring spicebush shrubs, these swallowtail caterpillars have also be found on sassafrass, tulip trees, or camphor trees.

Variegated Frittilary on a white coneflower.

Our little friend Hannah found this striking caterpillar on the path.  The volunteers were unable to identify it.  This little guy probably came in from outside or hitched a ride on one of the plants they had brought into the exhibit. 

After searching through my favorite bug ID site, I believe this is the caterpillar for the Double-lined prominent moth. (Lochmaeus bilineata) There is another similar species, but this caterpillar seems to fit best with the L. bilineata description. You can view the moth here: BugGuide.Net

I’ll be back this week to share more.  I’m linking up to Camera Critters for the first time in a while.  Hi, Misty!
http://camera-critters.blogspot.com/2011/07/camera-critters-173.html