I was collecting seeds from Cleome lutea plants north of Reno, Nevada, and I saw this caterpillar on one of the plants. I've narrowed it down to the Pieridae (whites, yellows, and sulfurs) but I'm not sure which genus. It seems distinctive but doesn't quite match any of the photos I've seen so far. There were a lot of white and blue butterflies in the area but I didn't get any good shots of those.
I think your caterpillar is going to turn into a Checkered White. If you look at this link you'll see cleome serrulata listed as a host, so the cleome lutea would most likely be used as well. : )
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1391&chosen_state=32*Nevada
This appears closer to a Becker's white, Pontia beckerii - see http://www.mariposasmexicanas.com/pontia_beckerii.htm for images of adults and a larva.
I definitely agree - that's it. That was one I don't have in my eastern north america guide book and could not find pictures online.
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1389&chosen_state=32*Nevada
This message was edited Jul 24, 2008 11:03 AM
That's awesome!
Suunto, I think you've got it!
Thanks for the links, I'll remember to check those sites in the future.
Janel
