A quick quiet word then on predators: keep a close eye for caterpillars (check for eggs on the underside of leaves), carrot flies, every slug and snail.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/jun/04/allan-jenkins-on-gardening-it-is-officially-summer-the-high-days-of-the-year

Behren’s silverspot caterpillars form a tough sepia pupa, drawing leaves around themselves with silk.

Source: https://www.hcn.org/issues/55.5/south-endangered-species-inside-the-fight-to-save-a-beleaguered-butterfly

During their search, they encountered many different plants and insects, including furry caterpillars.

Source: https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/23818216.bere-regis-school-children-explore-brian-mays-woodland/?ref=rss

Each nest that survives the winter has in it anywhere from 25 to 4o0 caterpillars, so clipping and destroying as many as possible is recommended, he said.

Source: https://www.centralmaine.com/2023/01/07/browntail-moth-threat-eases-in-capital-region-but-remains-a-threat-elsewhere-in-maine/

In their partner gardens and in general, members of the group advocate for planting native flora that pollinators depend on, as well as host plants for caterpillars.

Source: https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-pollinator-partners-set-sights-on-boosting-local-butterfly-population/

Keep an eye out for 2-3cm-long caterpillars which have a grey body and a dark head with lengthy, white hairs, they say – especially those working in an “arrow-headed,” nose-to-tail formation on oak trees.

Source: https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/oh-good-toxic-caterpillars-are-spreading-across-the-uk_uk_6475c412e4b0047ed77d2904

Milkweed is the only plant monarch larvae and caterpillars will eat.

Source: https://princetonherald.com/2023/06/08/a-world-of-words-awaits-at-the-library/

Monarch habitats contain milkweed hosts for the caterpillars and nectar plants for the adult butterflies to reproduce, and there are limited available environments for monarch reproduction.

Source: https://badgerherald.com/news/2023/11/02/recent-study-shows-monarch-butterfly-populations-in-decline/

Shilling’s upcoming solo exhibition of paintings and ceramics, “A Bug’s Life” at Jeffrey Deitch Los Angeles in April, will feature “spring themes” such as frogs, flora and fauna, ladybugs, caterpillars and butterflies.

Source: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2023-02-14/lafc-free-soccer-clinics-frieze-art-fair

Some arachnids and caterpillars can throw their abdominal hairs when they feel threatened, which can cause serious allergic reactions if it lands in someone’s eyes.

Source: https://thejewishnews.com/2023/04/25/all-creatures-great-and-small-2/

Some of the other signs you can look out for to help predict what's going to happen in winter- pigs gathering sticks, an abundance of acorns and the size of the orange bands on woolly worm caterpillars.

Source: https://newstalk1280.com/ixp/76/p/heres-why-folks-in-ky-and-in-should-be-counting-the-number-of-foggy-mornings/

The nests - which are white and the size of a tennis ball - contain hundreds of the creepy-crawlies, which grow to about two-inches long, with caterpillars emerging from late March until mid-July.

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12004063/Health-warnings-toxic-hairy-caterpillars-cause-rashes-asthma-attacks.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

There are many natural predators of fall webworm caterpillars including birds, mammals, insects like wasps, and even viral and fungal diseases.

Source: https://www.galioninquirer.com/2023/09/28/fall-webworms-not-hazardous-to-trees/

They might even find some caterpillars frozen on trees, their adaptation to survive the winter.

Source: https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/opinion/ct-lns-outdoors-st-0120-20230119-7ttzpzqwyrhd3iukqcjv2lar5i-story.html

Tussock moth caterpillars can sting, but this caterpillar does not because it is not a true tussock moth, but rather it is a ‘tiger moth.’

Source: https://www.interior-news.com/opinion/nature-nut-10/

While it might be a little unsettling to see them grouped together, building a tent and wiggling around, Myers said the caterpillars are harmless.

Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/tent-caterpillar-outbreak-vancouver-island-1.6852018?cmp=rss

Yarshagumba, scientifically known as Cordyceps sinensis, is a parasitic fungus that infects caterpillars in the pristine meadows of Nepal’s high-altitude regions.

Source: https://www.chiangraitimes.com/learning/5-natural-herbs-and-substances-found-in-nepal/

You can’t have butterflies without caterpillars.

Source: https://snjtoday.com/playing-host-to-butterflies/