By:
Patti Bartlett (352) 392-1773 x 276

Source(s):
Jerry Butler jfb@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-1930 ext. 152
Don Hall dwh@ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-1901 ext. 113

GAINESVILLE, Fla.—Many books focus on butterflies in Florida, but now the state’s caterpillars are also in the spotlight, thanks to a new guide by two University of Florida entomologists.

“Florida Butterfly Caterpillars and Their Host Plants,” from the University Press of Florida, is the first book of its kind, said Jerry Butler, a professor emeritus of entomology with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

“We thought caterpillars deserved more attention than they had gotten in the past,” Butler said. “They might be a little less flashy than butterflies, but they’re fascinating creatures.”

Aimed at laypeople, the book includes color photographs of all but one of Florida’s 168 caterpillar species (missing is the rare amethyst hairstreak caterpillar), 185 host plants and 19 habitat types. There are photographs of the complete life cycle, from egg to caterpillar to pupa to adult, for 18 species.

Information for each species includes a range map, description of the larva, similar species, habitat, U.S. distribution, natural history, seasonal activity and host plants. A key can help readers identify caterpillars without consulting every photo.

The text also includes a checklist for noting caterpillar sightings and chapters on butterfly gardens and finding and rearing caterpillars. A section on caterpillar behaviors includes little-known facts about caterpillar defenses (spring azures recruit ants as bodyguards by feeding them a sweet- tasting liquid) and concealment (chlorophyll in the diet of green caterpillars keeps them green, but they have to avoid sunlight to prevent fading).

Although the title of the book says “Florida,” all of the butterfly species are found elsewhere, said Don Hall, a professor of entomology at UF who co-authored the book. Florida’s location makes it home to temperate species from eastern North America as well as tropical species from the Caribbean.

“We’re fortunate to have such a variety of butterflies here,” Hall said. “There are always new things to learn, which is one of the reasons people enjoy studying butterflies, as a hobby or a profession.”

Butler and Hall began assembling material for the book 11 years ago. At the time, they were simply curious to see how many larvae they could identify and photograph. They found that identifying caterpillars sometimes meant rearing them until they metamorphosed into adults.

“There was no one-stop reference available, and some caterpillar species were not well documented,” Butler said. “Initially, we had no intention of producing a reference book ourselves, but as we collected more and more photos, we realized we ought to do it.”

Obtaining photos of certain species was a long process, he said.

“The metalmark life cycle took a year and a half,” Butler said. “We had to find a gravid female and wait for her to lay an egg on the host plant provided.”

As the book neared completion, internationally known butterfly authority Marc Minno was brought on board to contribute his expertise and additional photos, Hall said. Minno, a senior regulatory scientist at the St. Johns River Water Management District in Palatka, is the author of several other books including “Florida Butterfly Gardening.”

A book on Florida’s moth caterpillars isn’t on the immediate agenda of the authors. “There are 4,000 moth species in Florida,” Hall said. “On the average, we tracked and photographed about 15 butterfly species a year. I think we’ll leave the moth book for someone else.”

“Florida Butterfly Caterpillars and Their Host Plants” was published in April 2005 by University Press of Florida. It is available from booksellers or from the publisher at http://www.upf.com. With 360 pages in a softcover format, the book retails for $34.95.

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