Thanks!

They do sort of sound like the larvae for the Gray Hairstreak butterfly but
I don't ever remember seeing one of those around here. At this point more
than half of the leaves are skeletonized, and the ones that are still
healthy are so high I cannot reach them, and naturally this is where the
worms are now. I don't think I can help it now- it will either die or come
back next year.

I think I'll bring a few inside and put into the aquarium we have set up for
exactly this purpose. That way I may at least learn what to watch for next
year. This year we have hatched a Luna Moth and a Cecropia Moth and
released them. Maybe thse will be butterflies!

Thanks!


"Pen" wrote in message
om...
If it's not killing your plant then leave it, your plant will recover
when the critter's gone. If it is killing your plant you can also
transplant a few of the caterpillar(s) to another host plant then Bt
the rest. You can also capture it, place in a glass aquarium and feed
it fresh leaves daily, caterpillars are wonderful learning experiences
for kids. Yours might be a gray hairstreak butterfly:

http://www.enature.com/fieldguide/sh...?imageID=17930
http://www.butterflygardeningandcons.../lb/l/gray.php

Other butterfly caterpillars that eat mallow are painted lady (Vanessa
cardui) and checkered skipper (Pyrgus communis). If you want to learn
more do a search to images of their caterpillars. I hope this helps.