I got a picture of an Orange Dog Caterpillar the other day. I knew what it was right away, because when I got a similar picture seven years ago, I didn't know ... so I did some research and stumbled across What's That Bug, a great website that has since helped me identify some of the wackiest insects. Pictures of some the more bizarre are below.
By the way, in answering the e-mailer's question about the Orange Dog Caterpillar, I didn't recommend any treatment. That's because the Orange Dog Caterpillar will eventually become a Giant Swallowtail Butterfly.
On small trees, however, more than one ODC can be a problem, because they can defoliate a little tree in under a week. On larger, more established citrus, there is no need for control. While they may chew up a few leaves, that's not life-threatening.
Some other sites that I check for insect identifications:
And, another site I sometimes visit is BugSpray.com. It lists products that will help get rid of certain insects. You can enter your insect's name for their recommendations.
If you still want to send me bug pictures and questions because surfing the Web isn't your cup of tea, by all means keep them coming. In your first e-mail, just ask permission to send a second message with attached pictures. I'll send you the address. Or, you can do what I will likely end up doing anyway: investigate the websites above for great information.
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