This group of six early instar caterpillars was found under an ash leaf. This shot was taken a month ago. Yesterday I went back to check on the progress of the caterpillars and couldn't find a single one. When young, they cluster together like this, but as they mature toward their final instar (before pupating), they disperse. I searched the ash trees in the vicinity but couldn't find a single caterpillar. They may well have been caught by birds, as the other day I saw a chestnut-sided warbler with a big silkworm caterpillar. To see what these caterpillars will look like when in the final instar: http://www.pbase.com/laroseforest/image/158768270