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Wisconsin Native Caterpillars

American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) caterpillar

Juvenal's Duskywing Caterpillar

Genus-Species: Erynnis juvenalis

Description: The caterpillar is greenish with a pale yellow lateral stripe. The body is covered with tiny white dots. The head is brown with three yellow-orange patches on each side.

Chrysalis: The chrysalis is dark green or brown.

Host Plants: Tree Oak, Scrub Oak.

Habitat: Woodlands and woodland edges where oaks the larval host plants grow.

Comments: Juvenals Duskywing is a very common butterfly throughout Wisconsin. The caterpillars develop rather slowly compared to most other butterflies. They do not complete their growth until fall, during which time they hibernate for the winter within a tubular retreat formed of rolled leaves and tied together with silk strands. They do not pupate until the early spring.

Adult Juvenal's Duskywing Butterfly Profile
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