[image] Finding moths without tools like lights or traps There are a lot of moths, and even some butterflies, whose larval stages are unknown or whose larval host plants are unknown. Upon reading this I resolved to have a go at finding some moth larvae. But one issue arises: I have no idea how…

If it is a tomato-growing area, look for Tomato hornworm. Tomato is solanum family…so I guess you can look into other solanum plants. Periwinkle, Impatens, Aroids, Ludwigia weeds may have caterpillars sometimes. It depends on your area too. Maybe can add where you are at. Butterflies have specific h…

If it’s a conspicuous species like with a lot of eggar and tiger moths you can usually spot them resting in plain sight on foodplants or basking in the open during sunny days after their winter hibernation noctuids are also fairly easy but you normally need to go out with a torch after dark to look…

As I take it your goal is hopefully to find some of the little-known or unknown kinds, I would especially look for rolled-up or chewed leaves, as @mothdragon advised. Even if you do not see any signs of caterpillars around the chewed leaves, some caterpillars only emerge at certain times, possibly n…

You might also look for leaves with leaf mines, especially “blotch” mines because those are more likely to be the work of moths. Rearing leaf miners is less work than rearing caterpillars. You don’t have to keep bringing them fresh leaves from the host plant. Whatever approaches you choose, do not…

Looking for feeding damage as suggested is a good clue. I find another one is looking for droppings (frass). If you find those, check the leaves/trees above. Often you can find the culprit. Check the underside of leaves and keep in mind some caterpillars are so well camouflaged that they may be “hid…

Caterpillars are relatively easy to spot when crawling around on walls alongside gardens/green spaces – at least, this is where I often seem to see them. However, I don’t really recommend this as a method for finding them, since they are much harder to get ID’d without an association with a food pl…

All suggestions given have been good. My biggest tip is to take a lot of time looking. As in sit by host plants for a long while. Half hour can work. They are masters of camouflage! A small garden in bloom can host an abundance of observations, while you are patiently waiting for the caterpillars…

Best way to do that is to plant native plants on your property. If not able to go to a field at dusk or dawn or even during the day when the sun is out and wait with camera in hand. Also go out at night with a full moon. Lots of plants with light colored flowers look like they glow at night (evenin…

What part of the world are you in? The original quote from Tutt was written in 1901. The situation in Britain, and I guess western Europe, has improved enormously since then. I doubt we have any macro-moths whose larvae are still unknown and a large proportion of micros are also now identifiable as …

Thanks for all the ideas! I have not yet really been able to test them out, but hopefully I can make time for some moth-spotting soon. [image] mothdragon: unusually bare areas of a plant (sometimes confused with slug damage tho other than waiting to find the culprit, is there some way to dis…

A quest to find moth larvae/caterpillars - any tips? - #17 by system - Nature Talk

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