Comments on: What Looks Just Like a Caterpillar, But Isn’t?

By: Amber Coakley

Amber Coakley — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 02:43:37 +0000

Fab photos, Christine. The adults are impressive! Thanks so much for allowing me to show the “before” and “after” versions of this insect.

By: Christine Hanrahan

Christine Hanrahan — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 22:34:26 +0000

I’m so glad you were able to use the adult sawfly shots. Now, I’d be very happy if I could see the larva!! Your photo is so beautiful. It is a lovely ghostly critter, isn’t it!

By: Amber Coakley

Amber Coakley — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:49:43 +0000

Wagner anticipated this one, and included a small section in his guide about caterpillars-that-aren’t. This is how I discovered the ID, and bugguide.com cinched it for me. Reminds me, I need to go back to look for the adults!

By: Deb Lievens

Deb Lievens — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:15:05 +0000

I am a moth (+ caterpillar) nut and I had the same experience with the Cimbex. In NH. Took me a while to understand why it wasn’t in Wagner’s great caterpillar guide. Thought it would be so easy to ID. Had to send to Bugguide to get an answer.

By: Amber Coakley

Amber Coakley — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:52:45 +0000

Hi Rebecca – interesting to hear what caught your attention about this adult fly. What caught my attention was the way his body is separate from his abdomen, and the size of those thighs. (I am not an entomologist, and I’m sure I just butchered the proper names of the fly’s anatomy…sorry)

By: Amber Coakley

Amber Coakley — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:46:54 +0000

Hi Jason – I lucked out in my quest for the matching moth or butterfly, by noticing a picture of this sawfly larvae at the beginning of my caterpillar guide – which dumbfounded me by identifying this creature as a fly larvae. Cool! Yes, LOVE the adult…hoping to see one of those big boys!

By: rebecca

rebecca — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 23:17:32 +0000

I love the orange antennae on the adult! I’ve just recently starting getting really into insects and I find this sort of critter incredibly cool…

By: Amber Coakley

Amber Coakley — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 19:56:25 +0000

I can take credit for the larvae pic, but those great pics of the sawfly in its final form were taken by Christine Hanrahan. And they are truly awesome pics…I’m going to be on the look-out for this fly at that same park.

By: Amber Coakley

Amber Coakley — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 19:54:56 +0000

AGREED!

By: jason

jason — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:16:59 +0000

This tickled me, Amber. The first time I saw a larva like this (many years ago), I hunted high and low for a moth or butterfly to match it. Good learning experience.

And the adult? Totally awesome!