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Goatweed Leafwing (Anaea andria) Goatweed Leafwing is brick red on upper side and drab brown beneath. This a very wary and elusive species. When perched with wings closed it is hard to spot, especially in fall or winter. This species overwinters as the adult. Host plants are goatweeds. The most common species of goatweed in this area is Prairie-Tea (Croton monoanthgynous). |
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These caterpillars are probably early instars. They make a leaf shelter by tying a leaf together lengthwise. The caterpillar on the left was gently pulled from the shelter with a pair of forceps. The image at right shows the caterpillar returned to its shelter. | |||
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The caterpillar at right is probably a middle instar. It has formed a shelter by tying several leaves together. Efforts to pull this caterpillar from its leaf shelter with forceps were met with strong resistance. When disturbed the caterpillars regurgitate a dark fluid. |
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This caterpillar is possibly a late early instar or an early middle instar. Its leaf shelter can be seen in the background. The texture of the caterpillars skin closely matches that of the Prairie-Tea leaves. | |
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This is probably a late instar caterpillar. It was on a rather large Prairie-Tea plant. A search for the chrysalis over the next few weeks was unsuccessful. |
