Happy Mystery Monday! Do you know what caterpillar we found on the golden alexanders (Zizia aurea)?
Last week, we highlighted common sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale). This fall blooming aster does well in full sun and medium to wet soils. Have you ever wondered how it got its name? Apparently, people used to dry the flowers and leaves and then used them for snuff to promote sneezing. The leaves, flowers, and seeds, however, are known to contain toxins, so we recommend just enjoying this plant for its beauty and ecological value.
Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy and Adkins Arboretum. Please give them here.
Al DiCenso says
Strange, the writer never does address the name of the “caterpillar”. It’s an ordinary cutworm, and a dozen of them devoured my parsley patch last week. They are a damn nuisance, and I should have sprayed with Sevin, but didn’t expect their unwelcome arrival.
Ron Ketter says
Eastern Black Swallowtail. Love to see them on the zizia, bronze fennel, dill, and parsley my wife plants as host for them in our flower/pollinator gardens. Leads to lots of butterflies in our yard.
jan bohn says
Isn’t it a swallowtail caterpillar? Whatever it is, it ate all of my Italian parsley, basil and curly parsley plants in ONE DAY!!!! It is quite lovely but also quite destructive!!
alice sewell says
Monarch Butterfly