Invertebrates
See our handy guide to critters found in local homes and our Central Coast Butterfly FAQ. Browse the insects and other terrestrial arthropods we’ve identified. Check out local marine invertebrates, particularly bivalve mollusks and intertidal organisms.
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Butterfly egg identification
How can I tell what kind of butterfly these eggs will hatch into? They were found on the underside of our Butterfly bush. Some are starting to hatch into little caterpillar.
Curator Response
Hi Catherine,
I suspect that these eggs belong to some species of moth, rather than a butterfly. Nearly all butterflies in North America lay their eggs on the hostplant that the caterpillars will feed on, and I am unaware of any butterfly species that feed on butterfly bush when they are caterpillars. In contrast, many moth caterpillars are generalists that feed on a wide range of plants, and adult moths tend to be less picky about where they deposit their eggs. Unfortunately, at this stage the caterpillars are too small to be easily identifiable, but if you see larger caterpillars around your yard in a month of two, I would be happy to take a look at them!
Sincerely,
Schlinger Chair and Curator of Entomology Alex Harman, Ph.D.
