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The caterpillar is green but turning red-orange before pupation. The two-tailed swallowtail caterpillar is identified by its broad head and neck, small eyespots, and a black and white collar behind its head. This appears when the caterpillar feels threatened, and it also emits a foul stench. However, before pupation, the adult caterpillar is a reddish color with a black rim behind its enlarged head.Īn identifying feature of this fat worm-like insect is its horn-like structure known as the osmeteria protruding from behind its head. During this stage, the green caterpillar looks somewhat like bird droppings. The two-tailed swallowtail caterpillar is green with pale white blotches, an enlarged head, and a yellow face when immature. The caterpillar has a slightly conical shape. There are also bands of tiny dots traversing the caterpillar’s segments. The chubby caterpillar is identified by its humped back and conspicuous eyespots on its head. The two-tailed swallowtail caterpillar is the larva of Arizona’s state butterfly-the beautiful two-tailed swallowtail. The two-tailed swallowtail caterpillar turns from green to orangy-red before pupation Two-Tailed Swallowtail Caterpillar ( Papilio multicaudata ) Its lime-green or yellow-green tube-like body has black stripes along its back and sides. The white-lined sphinx moth caterpillar is easy to identify in the Arizona landscape. The white-lined sphinx caterpillar is harmless to humans.Īfter pupation, the long green caterpillar turns into an attractive brown and pink moth. They can become a pest in gardens, swimming pools, hiking trails, and roadways.Īlthough the striped caterpillar has a black-tipped orange or brown sharp-looking horn, this fleshy protrusion isn’t a stinger. In years with heavy rainfall, masses of these yellowish-green striped larvae are seen in large groups. White-lined sphinx caterpillars are common in Arizona after the monsoon season. This Arizona caterpillar measures 2.7” (70 mm) long. The black and pale-green larva has a small brownish head and a fleshy horn-like tail. In Arizona, this caterpillar looks like a long, plump worm-like insect. The white-lined sphinx caterpillar is a lime-green or yellow-green caterpillar with black stripes and markings. The white-lined sphinx caterpillar has many color variations, depending on its growth stage, and is common in Arizona Let’s look in detail at the identifying features of common Arizona caterpillars White-Lined Sphinx Moth Caterpillar ( Hyles lineata )
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Types of Arizona Caterpillars (With Pictures) However, the Arizona white-lined sphinx caterpillar ( Hyles lineata ) and fuzzy banded woolly bear ( Pyrrharctia isabella ) are found on various deciduous shrubs and trees throughout the Grand Canyon State. Some caterpillars also have tufts of long pencil hairs or lashes.Ĭertain types of Arizona caterpillars can be identified by the host plants where they feed.įor example, the green and black striped monarch caterpillar ( Danaus plexippus ) feeds exclusively on milkweed plants. Caterpillars are also identified by their six front legs and eight prolegs. To identify an Arizona caterpillar species, note the insect’s body shape, if it’s smooth, furry, or spiky, any particular markings, and if it has horns. Here you will find descriptions and pictures of Arizona’s furry, smooth-bodied, spiky, horned, stinging, and exotic caterpillars. This article is an identification guide to common caterpillars you are likely to find in Arizona’s landscape. However, the long tube-like larva can be deep green or lime green with black and yellow dots and an orange or black tail in other areas. Also, caterpillars take on different characteristics depending on their food source and environment.įor example, the common Arizona caterpillar, the white-lined sphinx moth larva ( Hyles lineata ), is a slender, yellowish-green insect with black stripes. During these four or five stages, the crawling larvae can change color, shape, and appearance. All types of caterpillars go through growth stages called instars. Species of Arizona caterpillars can be challenging to identify.
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Arizona also has types of stinging caterpillars, like the southern flannel moth caterpillar and the crowned slug moth caterpillar. Common caterpillars in Arizona can be black and yellow with stripes, fat green larvae with dots or unusual markings, black spiky crawling insects, or black and orange furry caterpillars. Native Arizona caterpillars are typically large, worm-like creatures with cylindrical bodies. Email Pinterest Facebook Twitter LinkedinĬaterpillars are a common sight in Arizona.