![monarch](/wp-content/files/2/2010/09/monarch_L80441_s.jpg)
The Monarch caterpillar (Danaus plexippus) that I’ve been monitoring on the Butterfly Weed in Catch the Wind has disappeared.
![monarch larva](/wp-content/files/2/2010/09/monarch_L80436_s-e1285773066488.jpg)
The larva was last seen on 25 September. The next opportunity that I had to check the caterpillar’s whereabouts was the twenty-eighth, three days later. The caterpillar has apparently gone off to pupate. I searched, and searched, and searched, but could not find a chrysalis. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t a chrysalis, but that I couldn’t find one. Hopefully, the caterpillar is currently pupating and will become a butterfly within the next week or so. If all goes well it will plot a course to the southwest to join millions of its relatives overwintering in Mexico.
While pondering whether or not one of the trees here at the Museum was a Mocker Nut or some other hickory, I spotted a Skiff Moth Caterpillar (Prolimacodes badia) on one of its leaves. I last saw one of these strange looking caterpillars on October 8th of last year. This one was different, it was green.
![skiff moth](/wp-content/files/2/2010/09/skiffmoth80578_s.jpg)
![skiff moth larva](/wp-content/files/2/2010/09/skiffmoth80533_s.jpg)
Skiff Moths are apparently not particular about what they feed on. The list of host plants includes many woody plants including, of course, hickory.
![skiff moth larva](/wp-content/files/2/2010/09/skiffmoth80561_s.jpg)
These caterpillars overwinter as a pupa, emerging as an adult moth the following spring.
The name Skiff Moth must surely come from the caterpillar’s shape which is similar to an inverted skiff, a small inshore fishing, sailing, or rowing boat.
The caterpillar also resembles one of those hats made from newspaper. After doing some Internet searching, I came across this image, a combination of both hat and boat. Now that’s bizarre!