I was looking over the milkweed today for Monarch cats when
I noticed these little guys in the area. These were on the one little dill plant
I had started. They are tiny - maybe 1/4 inch. I couldn't get a clear shot, but this is as good as I could get. I don't even remember why I planted the dill! There are four of these on the plant. Does anybody know what they might be?
Here is a second shot of this cat on the dill.
And while I'm at it, does anybody recognize this? It seems to be on everything, outside and inside the pool enclosure. It can really make foliage disappear. I've seen it on Brugs and other things. I have just been relocating them out in the woods. I never saw them here before.
possibly Lady beetle larva,a beneficial insect which eats aphids.They (larva) eat dill,fennel,members of the carrot family. www.coopext.colostate.edu/4DMG/PHC/benefici.htm
The cat on dill is BLACK SWALLOWTAIL LARVA. Let him live!!! I the later instars he will have the yellow/black/green stripes.
The last one is an army type worm.
Sam
Frecklejuice - Thanks. I have seen a couple of black swallowtals around the yard lately. I wish these guys (I see 6 so far) better luck than the Monarch cats have had on the milkweed right next to this. They have all disappeared, victims of birds or lizards or both. If these guys do make it, I think
i'll need to buy more dill. They are on one little plant. Do you by any chance know if swallowtails eat anything besides dill?
Don - I may have to find out go import some of the Lady beetle larva if they will eat aphids! They'd certainly be welcome here.
Those swallowtail cats eat fennel also.
The black swallowtail eats dill, fennel, rue, parsley, carrot, queen anne's lace, and maybe something else.
Good luck
