Observation date: September 21, 2022
Date notes: caterpillars feeding on flowers of aster looking plant. Grand Junction, CO. Look like Monarch caterpillars to me.
Submitted by: mtnwindsong
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: all I have seen flying here are yellow swallowtail butterflies.
Status: Resident
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: October 03, 2022
Coordinator notes: This the caterpillars of a moth that feeds on Aster. I'm not a moth expert so with your sighting in far western Colorado, it might possibly be a different species of Cucullia. These particular caterpillars have been frequent submitted sightings from eastern Colorado in the past. Monarchs feed only on Milkweed...they are white, black and yellow and the head has two "feelers" on it. I'm sure you will be able to easily see the difference between these caterpillars and the ones in your photograph. Mike
