First Caterpillar of the Year

The Chihuahuan Desert exploded in color this week. The blooms dot every canyon and mountain side and the arthropods are out in force feeding, mating and perhaps savoring too. Steve found our first caterpillar of the season (besides Cabbage Whites) at Carlsbad Caverns National Park feeding on Ephedra. This caterpillar is quite the prickly dude. Some really quick fun life history information and a picture of the adult moth (beautiful!) can be found here. We are seeking out blooms and bugs this weekend so we will post many more pics next week.

Chinati Sheepmoth (Hemileuca chinatiensis) - Silkmoth Family, Saturniidae