What do spiny elm caterpillars eat

Pesticides must be applied legally complying with all label directions and precautions on the pesticide container and any supplemental labeling and rules of state and federal pesticide regulatory agencies.

State rules and regulations and special pesticide use allowances may vary from state to state: contact your State Department of Agriculture for the rules, regulations and allowances applicable in your state and locality.

Toggle navigation. Discussion View source History. Jump to: navigation , search. Scientific Name. Common Names. Treat small caterpillars as soon as they are noticed for best results. Handpick or prune to remove caterpillars if possible. Please see our website for current forms, fees , and instructions on preserving and mailing insects. Contact information for each states diagnostic laboratory for U. You are here Home. Spiny Elm Caterpillar Encyclopedia Article.

Description of spiny elm caterpillars The spiny elm caterpillars are striking in appearance. Life cycle of spiny elm caterpillars The mourningcloak butterfly named for the yellow band around the outside edge of the dark wings, which resembles the coloration of the robe or cloak worn during periods of mourning in Germany and Scandinavia is a medium-sized butterfly that spends the winter in the adult stage and therefore, is one of the first butterflies to be seen in the spring, often by early to mid-April.

They feed for about 5 to 6 weeks and grow to 2 inches long. The velvety black body is covered with tiny white speckles. A row of eight conspicuous red spots runs down the back between conspicuous spines. Because the caterpillars are covered with spines, people often mistakenly assume that they sting they don't.

When the caterpillars have finished feeding, they scatter to hang from a branch and transform into a chrysalis from which an adult mourning cloak butterfly emerges about 3 weeks later. The chrysalis more or less resembles a mottled, brown, dead leaf. We have two broods each year from May to June and again in July and August. Mourning cloak butterflies overwinter in tree cavities, wood piles, hidden behind bark flaps, and in other protected sites.

Some few overwinter as a chrysalides. During warm days in late winter mourning cloak butterflies sometimes emerge and fly. Shortly after the first new growth emerges on elms, females lay eggs in a ring around small twigs and branches.

Mourning cloak butterflies are beautiful although somewhat somber. These butterflies have rich brown wings with yellow borders and rows of blue spots. The mourning cloak butterfly was named for the white or yellow band around the outside edge of the cloak worn during periods of mourning in medieval Germany and Scandinavia.