This book adds to our understanding of caterpillars by providing a means to identify common caterpillars via excellent photos of early stages that are associated with photos of adults, and through snippets of natural history text for each species. This alone will generate enthusiasm for caterpillars among professional biologists and general readers interested in lepidoptera. -- Philip J. DeVries, Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Orleans, author of "The Butterflies of Costa Rica and Their Natural History, Volumes I and II" This book is an important contribution to the existing knowledge on the lepidoptera of North America, one that should spawn the gathering of new information. It fills a glaring gap in the popular literature on the continent's fauna. -- Steven M. Roble, Staff Zoologist, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage
*FrontMatter, pg. 1*Contents, pg. 3*Preface, pg. 4*Acknowledgments, pg. 5*Photographics and Artwork Credits, pg. 6*Introduction, pg. 8*Morphology, pg. 9*Telling Macros from Micros, pg. 11*Not Quite Caterpillars, pg. 12*Caterpillar Life Cycle, pg. 12*Finding Caterpillars, pg. 14*Where to Search, pg. 15*When To Search, pg. 16*Rearing Caterpillars, pg. 16*Overwintering Larvae and Pupae, pg. 18*Starting with Eggs, pg. 19*Sexing Adults, pg. 20*Feeding Females, pg. 22*Natural Enemies, pg. 22*Survival Strategies, pg. 24*Preserving Larvae, pg. 26*Photography, pg. 27*Collecting, Vouchering, and Conservation, pg. 29*Caterpillar Projects for Schools, Nature Centers, and Universities, pg. 30*Using this Guide, pg. 32*Classification and Nomenclature, pg. 33*Helpful Websites, pg. 34*Slug Caterpillars - Limacodidae, pg. 35*Flannel Moths - Megalopygidae, pg. 53*Smoky Moths - Zygaenidae, pg. 57*Skippers - Hesperiidae, pg. 58*Swallowtails - Papilionidae, pg. 76*Whites and Sulphurs - Pieridae, pg. 83*Hairstreaks, Blues, Coppers, and Metalmarks - Lycaenidae, pg. 91*Brushfoots - Nymphalidae, pg. 108*Hooktip and Thyatirine Moths - Drepanidae, pg. 139*Loopers, Inchworms, and Spanworms - Geometridae, pg. 143*Scoopwings - Uraniidae (Subfamily Epipleminae), pg. 216*Sack-Bearers - Mimallonidae, pg. 217*True Silkworm and Apatelodine Moths - Bombycidae, pg. 219*Tent Caterpillars and Lappet Moths - Lasiocampidae, pg. 222*Giant Silkworm and Royal Moths - Saturniidae, pg. 229*Hornworms (Sphinx Or Hawk Moths) - Sphingidae, pg. 247*Prominents - Notodontidae, pg. 279*Owlets, Cutworms, Underwings, and Kin - Noctuidae, pg. 321*Pantheas and Yellowhorns - Pantheidae, pg. 439*Tussock Caterpillars - Lymantriidae, pg. 443*Nolids - Nolidae, pg. 454*Tiger, Lichen, and Wasp Moths - Arctiidae, pg. 457*Mexican Jumping Bean Caterpillar - Tortricidae, pg. 484*Mescal, Agave, Or Maguey Worm - Cossidae, pg. 485*Glossary, pg. 486*Helpful and Cited Literature, pg. 489*Foodplant Index, pg. 495*Taxonomic and Subject Index, pg. 502
David L. Wagner is Associate Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut. He is coauthor of two United States Forest Service guides, "Caterpillars of Eastern Forests" and "Geometroid Caterpillars of Northeastern" and "Appalachian Forests".
"A lusciously photographed book generally regarded as the most comprehensive field guide ever to caterpillars, as opposed to their better-documented adult forms--moths and butterflies... In the book, the fruit of a decade's research, Dr. Wagner ... argues passionately that creeping things can be every bit as mesmerizing and transporting as those that flit and dart in the air."--Andy Newman, New York Times "This is a wonderful field guide for those interested in studying the fascinating world of caterpillars in the backyard, parks, woods and fields around us."--Robert E. Hoopes, Wildlife Activist "David Wagner has produced a user-friendly field guide that goes well beyond anything else available."--The Quarterly Review of Biology "As a teacher of the university courses in insect biology and classification, I will use this book heavily; yet it is attractive and simply written enough to be much more widely appealing for children, teachers, and indeed anyone with interest in naturally history. David Wagner is to be congratulated for communicating his knowledge of the Lepidoptera so clearly and appealingly to the rest of us."--J.B. Whitfield, Annals of the Entomological Society of America "In general, the images of caterpillars and adults in this book are superb, the layout is attractive and easy to use, and the small-size format allows it to slip easily into a backpack for use in the field. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in Lepidoptera, but it should also find a place on the bookshelf of anyone interested in natural history, plant-insect interactions, or management of Lepidoptera pests (macros, anyway). It also will be very handy for anyone with inquisitive children (of any age) that pose that frequently asked question--What will it turn into?"--John W. Brown, Proceeds of the Entomological Society of Washington "This is a fine, easy-to-use book that is sure to be in the hands of everyone interested in exploring their own gardens or nearby vacant lots, written to be understood by middle-school students as well as professionals. Very highly recommended!"--Biology Digest
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