Wisconsin Native Caterpillars
Spring Azure Caterpillar
Genus-Species: Celastrina ladon
Description: Variable in color: shades of green,
brown, and pinkish green. Pale, lateral bands on each back segment allow this caterpillar
to blend perfectly with the "true" flowers at the center of a dogwood blossom.
Chrysalis: Light brown and pellet shaped.
Description: Variable in color: shades of green,
brown, and pinkish green. Pale, lateral bands on each back segment allow this caterpillar
to blend perfectly with the "true" flowers at the center of a dogwood blossom.
Host Plants: Flowers of a variety of woody shrubs
and occasionally herbs including dogwood (Cornus florida), New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americana),
meadowsweet (Spiraea salicifolia), and Collinsia.
Habitat: Openings and edges of deciduous woods,
old fields, wooded freshwater marshes and swamps.
Comments: The Spring Azure caterpillar is variable
in color: shades of green, brown, and pinkish green. Pale, lateral bands on each back segment
allow this caterpillar to blend perfectly with the "true" flowers at the center of a dogwood blossom.