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How to Identify a Caterpillar Site

Caterpillars are found throughout the U.S. and the rest of the world. Moths and butterflies, their eggs and the caterpillars that emerge from the egg state can survive in a large variety of climates. Only the driest deserts and the coldest tundra can stop these adaptable insects. While caterpillars often feed voraciously on leaves, they rarely kill trees that depend on those leaves unless the trees are already weakened by disease or other factors.

Instructions

- 1
  Look for caterpillar eggs. Eggs laid on vegetation that a butterfly or moth prefer are strong indicators of a caterpillar site.
- 2
  Seek out individual caterpillars. For example, the woolly bear caterpillar is a common sighting in many states in the U.S. It has distinctive hairy bristles with dark orange and black bands. A Monarch butterfly's caterpillars can be found on the milkweed plant. Because milkweed contains bitter chemicals, the caterpillars are typically avoided by predators.
- 3
  Observe fibrous tents made by tent caterpillar species. These tents appear to be similar to condensed spider webs. Inside the webbing, tens or hundreds of caterpillars can be seen in each tent enclosure.

Animals & Science