Milkweed tussock caterpillar (Euchaetes egle), Rock Creek Park, 2013.

Female milkweed caterpillar moths lay eggs in masses on the undersides of leaves. The caterpillars are communal feeders in groups of up to 50, quickly able to devour an entire milkweed plant! These late instar larvae sport tufts of black, white and orange/yellow setae (i.e., stiff hairlike structures, especially on the body of an invertebrate). This is the final stage before heading out on their own to find a safe place for the hairy cocoon stage which will protect them over the winter. Many species consume milkweed (Asclepias), named for its milky sap, because chemicals in the milkweed provide them with protection from predators by making the animal itself toxic and bitter-tasting, just like the milkweed on which it feeds!

butterfly butter fly animal lepidoptera milkweed milk weed milkweed tussock tussock tiger moth caterpillars caterpillar rock creek park tussock caterpillar euchaetes egle instar larvae sport tufts caterpillar moths cocoon stage hairlike structures stage many species national parks gallery washington dc centipede

2013

National Parks Gallery

https://npgallery.nps.gov/

Public Domain Dedication