I found this tiny fellow on my watering can today. It was laying on top of a bucket of things I had deadheaded so I'm thinking it came from there. The only things I could remember and see in the bucket were some coral salvias and coneflowers but it won't eat either of those leaves.
He's got a yellow head and an almost clear looking body with black raised polka dots. I'd really like to see what he turns into but must let him go to find food soon since he won't eat.
I want to say its a variety of tussock moth. Its a first instar if thats the case. It sure has the head of one. it will develop its typical look a little on the 2nd instar and very easily identifiable after that. I just raised one and I found it on my fruit mint and it ate the mint plant just fine.
Oh, PS. I would find out other things those little guys like to eat, and see if you have some host plant. They are great cats and pretty fun looking moths too.
Heather
loves2plant
I figure it's some sort of moth since it's not one one of my known host plants. My first thought was a Tussock moth but have never seen the first instar either. I figured whatever it is is going to look totally different soon but I just don't know what to feed it so I can find out how it changes!
Here is a pic of my 1st instar tussock. Its a different kind of tussock, but you can see that it looks nothing like a typical tussock moth cat at that stage. This was when I first found him on the mint...Frass and all
Here was after his first molt. I sure hope you can get him to eat.
Yeah, most cats that I've seen look totally different in their first one or two instars. That's part of why it's all so interesting!
He's eaten some of the salvia but I'm not sure that's what he wants. Since it's daytime now I'll go and get him a variety of leaves. I think I pulled up all my mint tho.
Thanks!
