Another Fall Feeding Caterpillar

Amy Stone reported earlier this month on a yellow striped Zebra caterpillar (Melanchra picta (Harris)) (Stripes of a Different Kind - The Zebra Caterpillar, October 8, 2020). Curtis Young discovered yet another caterpillar with bright yellow stripes running down the length of its body. This one was found mowing down on the blossoms of New England asters (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) growing in the Van Wert County Master Gardeners’ Children’s Garden in Smiley Park, Van Wert, Ohio.
Published on
Authors
Curtis E. Young
Amy Stone

"Giant Mutant Mosquitoes" Abound

Swarms of crane flies (order Diptera, family Tipulidae) are cruising lawns during the day and buzzing porch lights at night throughout much of Ohio. Although they look like giant, mutant mosquitoes, crane flies do not possess mosquito-like piercing-sucking mouthparts, so they do not bite. In fact, the adults are relatively short-lived and they don't feed.
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Authors
Joe Boggs
Dave Shetlar
Curtis E. Young