This caterpillar, a member of the Prominent moth family, was identified with the help of the BugGuide web site. The black band behind the head, along with the lighter “V” pattern towards the back, help to separate this caterpillar from similar ones in this family. The common name relates to a dark blotch on the forewings of the adult, which is otherwise a drab gray, with whitish hindwings, and has a wingspan of about 1 1/2 inches.
The abundance of this caterpillar/moth in our two nature centers is not yet known. It is more of an Eastern species and not thought to be very common out this far west.
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