Caterpillars can be a challenge to ID. Although there are increasing numbers of good guides available they cannot cover all the moth caterpillars that exist in NA. Many caterpillars are exceptionally beautiful. They are brightly coloured, highly patterned and quite exotic, yet more often than not, their adult form (the moth) is drab. I sometimes think that the more drab the moth, the more beautiful the caterpillar, although that is not always true. Another thing to remember is that caterpillars can vary tremdendously within a species, both in pattern and colour. For example, the Hitched Arches caterpillar, below, has both a bright green and a brown form. Variation often occurs with different instars as well.

If anyone recognizes a nameless caterpillar, please let me know! Thank you.