I found this one munching on my okra pods today. He looks (looked, the chickens got him) like a lime green, fuzzy pill bug, but never moved when I picked the pod. About 1/4" long. I've never seen anything like this one. Anyone?
Another Mystery Intruder-Help Please
It looks like it may be a Gray Hairstreak caterpillar, but not sure, I bet Dale knows.
http://bugguide.net/node/view/281357/bgimage
This message was edited Jun 28, 2012 6:14 AM
My first thought was Lycaenid pod borers, which I just recently found out what they were. But, I usually get those in peas and beans. Did it appear to be drilling a hole to eat seed or just munching along the surface?
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/VEGES/PESTS/podbor.html
It surely could have been what you said Lynea, I really don't know.
sweetmommy
I post the same question about this caterpillar on the vegetable forum.
It is a POD BORER. I did find it on my long bean.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1265957/
That's it! Thank you all!!
Never heard the name pod borer, but from what I can see of the picture, it looks like a hairstreak larva -- and gray hairstreak is the most likely as they'll feed on the buds, flowers and fruits of lots of different plants, including okra.
Dale Clark
Dallas County Lepidopterists' Society
www.dallasbutterflies.com
Yea, you're here Dale! I love the little hairstreaks and have lots of them around so that makes sense. I'll leave them alone from now on. Good call, Josephine!
Thats a new one to me. I have lots of those butterflies around but haven't seen their larva feeding anywhere.