Instructions
Observe the caterpillar's characteristics and note them in a small notebook. These notes will come in handy throughout your research experience. Note the caterpillar's color, shape, size, odd or distinctive markings, number of antennae and the number of, or lack of, legs. It is also helpful to add the location where you discovered the caterpillar.
Visit the reference section of your local library. Ask a librarian to help you locate reference materials that help identify native Washington caterpillars. Some libraries maintain books with pictures of insects in general. Browse through the books, and look for pictures to help identify the mysterious caterpillars.
Access Insect and Spider Identification's official website (insectidentification.org). This resource helps identify insects based on color, location and bug type. Use the drop-down menu feature to select the caterpillar's identifying markings and choose "Washington" as the location. After clicking "Search the Database," browse through the list of bugs to locate the caterpillar in question.
Go to Discover Life's caterpillar identification website. This resource helps users identify caterpillars based on the caterpillar's body color, patterns, hair density and other distinct features. To use this service, place a check mark next to the caterpillar's characteristics under each category and click "Search." Click "See Map" on the left-hand side of the screen to view the general area where the caterpillar is found. A caterpillar from Washington state would appear in the far upper left-hand portion of the U.S. map. If you're not having any luck identifying caterpillars on your own, resources may be available at local universities.
Contact an entomology specialist at a Washington university by phone or email, and ask about the steps required to identify unknown insects. Some colleges allow individuals to submit photographs of insects for identification, while others accept actual samples of the insect in question. Most colleges will need your personal contact information and a detailed description of the caterpillar. Some universities offer insect identification programs for free, while others might charge a fee.
How to Identify Caterpillars in Washington State
It can be challenging to identify a caterpillar you have discovered creeping through your garden or dangling from a tree, if you do not know where or how to find insect identification-related resources in Washington state. If you are anxiously waiting to uncover the caterpillar's identity, to maximize your chances of successfully identifying the mysterious creature, it is often beneficial to tap into various resources available online and in your local community.