CLOSED: Catepiller on my Satsumas

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jomoncon New Orleans, LA(Zone 9a) Aug 21, 2012

I was inspecting my 2 new satsuma trees, and I noticed a branch with a lot of leaves missing. Upon closer inspection, I found a caterpillar. And then another one, and another one. About 6 in all. I've attached some pictures. They are a kind of pretty striped color, and there are 2 red antenna things that pop out of their head when touched. I've never seen one like this before.

So far, I've just put them in a jar with some leaves. I don't want to necessarily kill them, but they're eating up the satsumas!!

Jo-Ann

Thumbnail by jomoncon Thumbnail by jomoncon Thumbnail by jomoncon
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flatpickit Charleston, SC Aug 21, 2012

I think this might be Giant Swallowtail larvae (Papilio cresphontes), also called the Orange Dog for its affection for citrus. The forked extension is called the osmeterium which is revealed when disturbed and secretes a foul odor.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/3253

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jomoncon New Orleans, LA(Zone 9a) Aug 22, 2012

Thanks for the info. I also wrote out AG Dept, and they said the same thing - an orange dog caterpillar that grows up to be the giant swallowtail butterfly.

On my young trees, they are causing too much damage. I'm going to pick them off & move them to a neighbor's mature tree. I have his permission to do this.

Jo-Ann

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