Anyone recognize this caterpillar?

Found several of these early instar caterpillars on one of the passion vines. Not sure if it is some variation of a Gulf Fritillary.

Have reared Gulf Frits, Variegated Frits, Julias and Zebras but just can't quite figure these out as they don't look anything like Julia or Zebra cats. Was thinking perhaps Gulf Frit but the colors are wrong. These guys are rust colored with bright yellow markings.

Was also pondering Mexican and Variegated Frits but the caterpillars I've seen in this part of the country for those species have white (not yellow) markings.

Hmmm...time will tell I guess.

~ Cat

Cat looks like a Julia to me except the splotches are yellowish instead of white

Hmmm....I was browsing through the longwings on our local NABA website...am thinking perhaps it is a Mexican Silverspot....what do ya'll think?

http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabast/msilver.html

~ Cat

This is a Julia caterpillar that I raised last month. Also in the photo is a Zebra caterpillar. The Julia has much more white and brown splotches and red highlights than that unknown caterpillar in the first photo. Guess I'm just going to have to wait and watch :o) Story of a butterflier's life ey! :o)

~ Cat

This message was edited Dec 24, 2008 9:11 PM

Cat do you have the Book Caterpillars of Eastern North America?? If so look at the Julia Cat on page 111. It is identicle except for white splotches and yours have yellowish

Wow, that Mex. Silverspot in the last pic on the link sure does look close. Could vary well be you have a first DG to raise there Cat. Wish that they had a chrysalis pic, that way you wouldn't have to wait as long.

Am still watching the caterpillars...yesterday there were three, today I only see two. There are still numerous eggs on the tendril coils. Also found two GF cats on another passion vine that is only about six feet away from this one...which is odd...because I'd checked that vine several times over the past few days and never saw any caterpillars. I think the caterpillars play a mean game of hide and seek :o)

I still can't tell for sure if it's a Julia or Mexican Silverspot...am still leaning towards the Mexican Silverspot at the coloring is different from the Julia cats I've seen.

Oh well, time will tell!!!

~ Cat

Just got email back from fellow butterfliers Jan and Dave. They recently raised Mexican Silverspots and said that's what I've got :o) Yippee!!!

This is their website photodoc of the Mexican Silverspot lifecycle.
http://www.thedauphins.net/mexican_silverspot_life_cycle_study.html

~ Cat

ps...it's odd...for the past few years we were lucky if we one or two few Mexican Silverspots a year but when I was at the park for last month's meeting we saw five individuals flitting around there. Go figure!!! Guess they're making their way around the lower Rio Grande Valley.

Great news Cat!!! We will all look forward to your pictures.
They have a wonderful step by step photo website!!

Very cute...the cat as well as the butterfly!

awesome news Cat. I am glad it turned out to not be a Julia lol

I brought two of them inside as the weather got down into the 40's last night. I wasn't able to find the other caterpillar...thought I'd seen three. Will keep checking the plants for it...am sure it will show up plumper than before!!!

I kind of wish they had been Julia's as I was only able to raise one of those. Am hoping the Julias will come back to my yard once the weather warms up and make use of the plants...would like to have a colony in my back yard!!!

Am excited about the Mexican Silverspots too...but I so often mistake them for Gulf Frits as the butterflies look fairly similar when on the wing.

Oh...and had two Zebras eclose yesterday. The sun was out for just a few minutes and I released them. One flew off but the other remained on a hanging basket. It was still there in the late afternoon so I brought it back inside for warmth. Set it outside on the basket again as I had to leave for work. Am hoping once the day warms up and the sun comes out it will fly away :o)

Am still babysitting a couple of Guava Skipper chrysalids and the 30 Forbes Silkmoth cocoons too.

~ Cat