Plant ID - has a caterpillar on it

Hello fellow butterfliers :o)

I was out walking the woods on base again and came across this plant and noticed a caterpillar on it. Am assuming the caterpillar is from either the hairstreak or blue family. Haven't seen any hairstreaks or blues on my daily walks though...

This was photographed in Brunswick, GA.

Any idea what this plant is? Am not familiar with Georgia plants :o( The photo after this one shows a close up of the caterpillar on the flower stalk part.

~ Cat
(Temporarily in Brunswick, GA)



This message was edited Jun 15, 2008 2:22 PM

Close up of unknown caterpillar on unknown plant.

Again...am thinking this is a caterpillar from the hairstreak or blue family. As for the plant - I have no idea.

Hope ya'll from the south can help me identify both.

~ Cat
(Temporarily in Brunswick, GA)

Cat, I think it's this plant: http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu/main.asp?plantID=2041 Click on "Images" to compare. I see this a lot when I'm hiking but I didn't know caterpillars would use it for anything. It's in the aster family if that helps you to decide what caterpillar that is.

Melanie

Mellie,

I looked at that link and Blackroot (Pterocaulon virgatum) looks exactly like the plant!!! Thanks so much for identifying it for me.

As for it being a larval host plant - I could not find anything on that. Perhaps this caterpillar was looking for a place to pupate. It does seem to be the last instar stage for a hairstreak or blue - if that is what it is.

Thanks again!!!

~ Cat

You're welcome! That stuff grows all over the place here and when I saw your picture I had to slap myself on the forehead because I couldn't remember what it was. Thankfully, I have a lot of books. Even Mom has asked me about that plant when we were out volunteering one day. It does have a weird look to it when the bloom first starts coming out.

Melanie

Forgot to update the post.

This is the chrysalis it formed.

~ Cat

...and this is what emerged from that chrysalis - a female Gray Hairstreak!!! (Strymon melinus) :o)

~ Cat

...and here she is before her maiden flight :o)

~ Cat

Wow, congrats Cat.! Pictures perfect! From the beginning to the time she takes flight!

What a little beauty!

what a awesome find Cat. Congrats!!!!

Thanks ya'll. Must say I was pleased to have a Gray Hairstreak - considering they use such a large variety of larval host plants it's nearly impossible to find a caterpillar :o)

There's lots of warm fuzzies to be felt when you have a wee butterfly perched on your hand and watch it fly off to start a new life :o)

~ Cat

One of my favorites!
Awesome shots...thanks for sharing.