Wisconsin Native Caterpillars
Common Wood-Nymph Caterpillar
Genus-Species: Cercyonis pegala
Description: The caterpillar is green or yellowish
green with several somewhat paler lateral stripes. The caterpillar is covered with long, fine,
pale hairs and has a green, rounded head without horns.
Chrysalis: Yellow-green with white on upper surface
and along the edge of the wing case. Often hangs from a grass stem.
Host Plants: Grasses including Big Bluestem
(Andropogon gerardii), Grove Bluegrass (Poa alsodes), Fowl Bluegrass (Poa palustris), and
Woodland Bluegrass (Poa saltuensis)
Habitat: Grasslands and open fields near woodlands.
Prairie restorations are often hot spots for this species.
Comments: This is by far the most common butterfly in
the state on a regular basis.
Caterpillars come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. Some caterpillars are quite hairy,
while others are smooth. Despite differences between species, though, all caterpillars
share certain morphological features.
Take this quick quiz and see how much you know about caterpillars. This quiz is intended for fun, in
a random-facts-can-be-cool kind of way.
How does this magic happen? Learn about metamorphosis - the process of transformation from an
immature form to an adult bitterfly.