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05/31/2026

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05/30/2026

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05/30/2026

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05/29/2026

05/29/2026

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05/29/2026

5 Caterpillars You May Want to Keep in Your Garden

Some caterpillars look like trouble at first glance. They chew leaves, gather in groups, or appear on plants we care about.

But many are not just “pests.” They are young butterflies and moths, and some also help feed birds and support a healthier garden.

Before removing one, identify it first.

1️⃣ Tomato hornworm

This large green caterpillar becomes the five-spotted hawk moth, a big night-flying nectar feeder often mistaken for a hummingbird. If you see tiny white cocoons on its back, do not remove it. Those are braconid wasp cocoons, and the wasps help reduce future hornworm populations.

2️⃣ Parsley worm

The green, black, and yellow caterpillar on parsley, dill, fennel, or carrot tops becomes an eastern black swallowtail butterfly. It may nibble your herbs, but planting a little extra gives both you and the butterflies enough to enjoy.

3️⃣ Eastern tent caterpillar

The silk tents in cherry, apple, and related trees can look messy. Still, these native caterpillars provide early food for many birds raising young. Healthy trees often recover after feeding ends, though young or stressed trees may need protection.

4️⃣ Gulf fritillary caterpillar

Bright orange with black spines, this caterpillar looks intimidating but does not sting. It feeds on passionflower vines and may chew them heavily. In return, you get the brilliant orange Gulf fritillary butterfly.

5️⃣ Woolly bear

This fuzzy fall caterpillar becomes the Isabella tiger moth. It feeds on many low-growing plants, including grasses, weeds, and wild plants. It is not a major threat to most garden crops, and it survives winter with remarkable cold tolerance.

A chewed leaf is not always a loss.
Sometimes, it is the beginning of a butterfly.

05/28/2026

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05/20/2026

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