Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1143381

Observation date: September 25, 2017
Submitted by: Rreeves79
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: I have several of these eating holes in my broccoli and romanesco. We do have a lot of butterflies that visit the flower garden including east or west tiger and giant swallowtail. I thought this may be a zebra catterpillar or moth, but this is my first time trying an organic garden and want help to know what I am seeing growing on my crop. I am preferring to attract pollinators and beneficial insects, but to learn to not dislike or attack all of them with a mindset of pest. They were found top and bottom of the green leaves while thinning the crop. Not moving and some are clustered in groups. The leaves some appear like swiss cheese with holes. My fear is that if I assume it is a pest I might kill something beneficial in our ecosystem.
Status: Resident
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: October 08, 2017
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): Williamson County, United States, Texas