Ahh, it feels like summer is coming early. Well, not so bad today with the wind.
Behind the Arkansas Yucca, the clouds were interesting this morning!
So it didn’t take long to find the white yucca moths (Prodoxidae)!
Opening a flower, I found two inside. It is not unusual to find several.
The flower is pretty too!
In addition to the moths, a Cucumber Beetle was on the yucca!
A moth paid a visit to the native dandelion (Pyrrhopappus)!
Yesterday, I shared the adult Colorado Potato Beetle. Today, I found what most likely is a Colorado Potato Beetle’s eggs. A nice orange on the Western Horse Nettle nightshade (Solanum dimidiatum), a host plant!
While watching for caterpillars on coralberry, I spied this one! It had been parasitized by Braconid Wasps!
Top view! Look at the colors…
Then I moved it to get a better photo. How did I miss red bands before? After I brought it into the house to re-examine it, I watched the bands appear like magic. It was only after disturbing the cat that the red bands appear. How neat is that? It is the American Lappet moth (Phyllodesmaamericana).
The cat’s studio shot! Quite the looker! As you can see by comparing the above photos, the cocoons were falling off.
So good to see yucca moths. I think they are missing for the most part around my neighborhood as the yuccas here rarely develop seed capsules. Very cool about the appearance of the red lines on the caterpillar!
The yucca bloom is really pretty as are the moths. I always feel sorry for a cat covered in cocoons. Really nice photos.
Thanks!
Gorgeous cat! Really enjoyed the article on trees – never thought of the distinction before.
It is helpful sometimes for someone to say such so that it gets on one’s radar so to speak I think.
So good to see yucca moths. I think they are missing for the most part around my neighborhood as the yuccas here rarely develop seed capsules. Very cool about the appearance of the red lines on the caterpillar!
Sad to hear about the yucca moths. at your house 🙁
The cat photos are wonderful
🙂
Yucca moths are delightful! Cool stuff