skeletonizing leaf caterpillar in Cypress Hills, Alberta

An unknown caterpillar species, first of its kind I have ever seen.

Identifying caterpillars is not always easy.  There are some good websites out there, such as the caterpillar identification website which may help in identifying a species.  There is also Google Lens, an image search engine that has worked for me before.  Unfortunately, neither of these helped me in identifying the species of moth (likely) that this larva belongs to.  Then there are the Facebook groups such as the Caterpillar identification of North America group.  However, if you are not a member, the administrators may not let you post.  I have tried, I have not yet heard back from them.

What I do know about the above beast is that it is a skeletonizing caterpillar.  If you look at the head (yellowish end), you will notice dark green and light green patches.  The light green patches is where the caterpillar has eaten.  it doesn't eat the whole leaf, just the tasty top part, leaving the base layer and leaf veins in tact.  

It could be the diamond back moth, Plutella xylostella.  This particular moth is a nasty one for farmers of cole crops - plants related to cabbage including broccoli, kale, and cauliflower.  I searched on the web for images similar to the one I took, but could not find any with the larva wrapped in silk the way it is.  It may be possible that it was just beginning the pupation phase of its development.  Given the fact that Alberta is home to over 2000 species of moth, I do not think I will ever get a confirmed identification.

Regardless of what species it is, I found the caterpillar very interesting, especially with the silk threads draped over the body.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com

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