Observation date: July 10, 2017
Submitted by: Creepy caterpillar
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: I found these today on a young live oak tree. Most of them are as pictured - orange with yellow stripes length-wise on the body and black/red heads. The others are black with yellow stripes length-wise as well. They were in large clumps all over the tree and appear to have eaten quite a few leaves. What are these? Will these caterpillars harm the tree? What can I do to get rid of them? Or will they leave on their own?
Status: Resident
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: July 11, 2017
Coordinator notes: The two forms of the caterpillar are probably the same species, just at different stages. The sighting here is an earlier stage. Birds often eat caterpillars which keeps the population down, others can be parisitized by wasps. If the caterpillars are in danger of defoliating a landscape tree, then the homeowner might consider methods of removal or destruction.
