I found this resting on one of my sunflower leaves-I think it is getting ready to go into a cocoon. It is around 3-4 inches.
Any one have any idea of what it is.
CLOSED: big, black, and hairy
I also found two of those on my sunflowers! I'd love to know what they are, too....they are eating the leaves, but would hate to kill them unless absolutely necessary.
get a id from the owner of Shady Oak Butterfly farm she says that it is a
Great Leopard Moth
I just looked it up and here it is. Love the fact that it says they feed mostly on plants that are weeds. http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg253.html
here is another info site and yes they feed on sunflowers
http://enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?shapeID=977&curGroupID=2&lgfromWhere=&curPageNum=24
Yep, I just Googled it. She's absolutely right. What an interesting looking moth!
I am hoping that the one I found is going to go to pupate(?)
I don't mind if the bugs/caterpillars do a little munching on my plants...keyword, "little"!! It's when there are lots of them doing a lot of damage that I start getting concerned. The caterpillars do the most damage, they are voracious eaters. Yes, I'll bet the one you found will pupate soon.
I have only found a little damage but as the sunflowers are grow from bird seeds I do not mind.
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