Rusty Hathcock went on a hike on Saturday with other Missouri Prairie Foundation members to L-A-D Foundation pines near Round Creek and saw the caterpillar above. He identified it as camphorweed cucullia, Cucullia alfarata, aka white-streaked prominent. It later becomes the drab moth seen below. It is interesting how often a young lepidoptera is much more attractive than the adult form. (Hmmmm, looking at my high school graduation photo to compared to present, I.........)
This caterpillar feeds on the flowerheads of camphorweed,
Pluchea camphorata, a weedy plant in the aster family, Asteraceae. It tends to grow in moist or boggy soil, another Rodney Dangerfield plant that gets no respect in online plant circles. Most available photographs of the flower head aren't particularly attractive but add a caterpillar below and they can be beautiful. (
Just like adding my wife to my photograph.)
