Zebra Caterpillar – Melanchra picta

Zebra Caterpillar – Melanchra picta Scientific name: Melanchra picta Common name: Zebra caterpillar   Appearance: Zebra caterpillar is a reddish-brown moth with purple mottling on the wings and a light gray abdomen. It has a total wingspan of 40 mm. The caterpillar varies in color depending on the area. It is initially white and later turns black with white marks and yellow stripes. The head and legs are orangish-brown with a total length of 40 mm.   Host plants or food: Zebra caterpillars feed flowers, hemp, vegetables, grains, and a few trees.   Territory: Throughout North America   Mode of damage: Zebra caterpillars are leaf chewers and damage the foliage of their host plants.   Habits and life history   Adult zebra caterpillar females lay eggs in clusters containing over 100 eggs. The larva hatch from the eggs and feed on the foliage, skeletonizing the leaves. Once the larvae overwinter and are mature, they drop to the ground, burrow, and transform into pupae. After a month, the pupae emerge from the ground as adults. They produce 2 to 3 generations per year.