Caterpillars in the Field and Garden A Field Guide to the Butterfly Caterpillars of North America

by Allen, Thomas J.; Brock, Jim P.; Glassberg, Jeffrey

• ISBN13: 9780195149876
• ISBN10: 0195149874
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-06-02
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Jeffrey Glassberg's acclaimed Butterflies through Binoculars guides have revolutionized the way we view butterflies. Now there's a field guide in the same practical format, and with the same emphasis on conservation, to identify caterpillars. Caterpillars are as varied, fascinating, and often as colorful as the adult butterflies they become. This is the most comprehensive guide to these creatures available. It contains all the information necessary to find and identify the caterpillars of North America--from Two-tailed Swallowtails,some of the largest butterfly caterpillars at just over two inches when fully grown, to tiny Western Pygmy-Blues. Caterpillar seekers will learn how to distinguish between butterfly caterpillars and moth caterpillars, where and how to find caterpillars, and the visual differences between young andolder caterpillars. Each species section describes how to identify the caterpillar, complete with brilliant photos--many published here for the first time. To make for easy field use, each caterpillar's key physical features, abundance, habitat, and major hostplants are listed on the same page asits photo. The book also contains a special section on butterfly gardening, offering valuable information on how to set up a butterfly garden and raise healthy butterfly caterpillars, and provides a thorough list of the plants butterflies most like to feast on. From the concerned gardener who wishes not to kill caterpillars that may one day become beautiful butterflies to the serious butterflier wishing to take the hobby to the next level, this remarkable guide will provide all of the information necessary for an enriching caterpillar experience.

Author Biography

Thomas J. Allen is author of The Butterflies of West Virginia and Their Caterpillars. Jim P. Brock is co-author of Butterflies of North America and Butterflies of Southeastern Arizona. Jeffrey Glassberg, the general editor of the Butterflies through Binoculars series, is President of the North American Butterfly Association and editor of American Butterflies Magazine.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Distinguishing Butterfly Caterpillars from Moth Caterpillars

How to Find Butterfly Caterpillars

Identifying Caterpillars

Butterfly Biology

Butterfly Gardening

Raising Butterfly Caterpillars

Conservation

About the Species Accounts

Parts of a Caterpillar

Range Map Colors and Information

Species Accounts and Photographs

Swallowtails

Whites and Yellows

Whites

Yellows

Gossamer-Wings

Harvester

Coppers

Hairstreaks

Blues

Metalmarks

Brushfoots

Snout and Heliconians

Fritillaries

Patches, Checkerspots, and Crescents

True Brushfoots

Admirals and Relatives

Leafwings and Emperors

Satyrs

Monarchs

Skippers

Firetips and Spread-wing Skippers

Skipperlings and Grass-Skippers

Giant-Skippers

Moths

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