How to Identify a Nevada Caterpillar

Sierra Nevada caterpillars are found throughout the entire range of U.S. Mountains by the same name. The Sierra Nevada Mountains stretch through the entire northern portion of Nevada -- stretching into the Napa Valley area of the California coast. Identifying Sierra Nevada caterpillars is a rather straightforward process. Track through the woods by yourself or with friends, family or students to investigate these miniature creatures.

Things You'll Need

  • Magnifying glass
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Instructions

    • 1

      Identify the colors of the Hemileuca or Sierra Nevada caterpillar. Each segment contains alternative black and orange, or amber, colors. Spiracle colors -- microscopic prongs extending off of the caterpillar body -- also reflect their specified segment color.

    • 2

      Examine the characteristics of the caterpillar. Note the two black antennae sprouting out of the caterpillar forehead. Identify the uneven levels among the body segments. Specifically, every other segment -- the orange or amber segments -- is higher than the black segments due to the round clumps of spiracles on these sections.

    • 3

      Find caterpillar habitats. Look for caterpillars on the branches of Dodecatheons, or shooting star flowering plants. Dodecatheons have long, thin stems with vertical pedals, often purple or white in color. Open, flat, teardrop-shaped leaves spread out from the base of the stems. Find Sierra Nevada caterpillar cocoons, or chrysalids, dangling underneath fir bough branches.