Clemensia sp. caterpillar

On April 3rd, the year’s first caterpillars were found!

The first was a small, 7-millimetre-long caterpillar feeding on the lichen growing on a damp black cherry tree. This caterpillar (shown above) is part of a species complex in the Clemensia genus, which means it is difficult to identify to species without dissection or DNA evaluation — tasks our citizen science group is not equipped to perform. Two of the species within this complex have overlapping ranges in our area, therefore we will not be able to get a complete identification for this individual. Previous to this find, the survey had never recorded this genus. To learn more about this recent species split, you can read this paper here.

Like many species found by the survey, once a species has been seen, it shows up everywhere! Another Clemensia sp. caterpillar was seen an hour later in a different area of High Park.

Haploa sp. caterpillar

Continuing with the”when it rains, it pours” theory, up until late last year no caterpillars of the Haploa genus had been recorded for the survey. Three Haploa caterpillars were found within a few weeks last year before the Haploa hotspot was found: an unassuming fence railing. Late in the season, seven Haploa caterpillars were seen marching along a newly constructed wooden fence at the same time. Well, this Haploa hotspot continued to be a hotbed for Haploa action — nearly a dozen were counted along the same wooden fence (one pictured above).

While the survey’s typical effort doesn’t begin until the overnight temperatures are regularly above 10°C in May, some caterpillars are out and about just waiting to be found. Take advantage of the mild, early spring days to see what’s around. Game on!

Updated: