While iNatting the greenways today, I found a rolled leaf on an otherwise bare branch of a hornbeam. Because the leaf was dried up, I suspected that it was a pupation shelter rather than a feeding shelter, and so I didn’t want to risk opening it. Gemini was no help in identifying it – for “hornbeam…

I’d assume that if it is a leaf roller, there should be a smooth brown pupa just resting in the curled leaf, so very gently opening the leaf shouldn’t hurt anything, especially since you’ve already collected it.

I have the same question. I found a caterpillar on July 13 that I believe is an Impressive Dagger Moth, Acronicta impressa. It fed on willow (Salix sp.) leaves and on July 20 it rolled itself up inside a leaf. But I don’t know how many generations this species goes through in a year: I live near Fai…

[image] m_whitson: I’d assume that if it is a leaf roller, there should be a smooth brown pupa just resting in the curled leaf, so very gently opening the leaf shouldn’t hurt anything, especially since you’ve already collected it. So, I finally did this last night, and there was no pupa. I’m …

I didn’t know any of this. Neat.

Mysterious. I think some spiders make leaf rolls, and I think other organisms may move in if the caterpillar has gone. I’ve seen tree crickets and beetle larvae in them. You have a lot of potential options…

How long will a leaf roller pupate?

Nature Talk

Topic		Replies	Views
Caterpillars hiding in their host plants Nature Talk	18	1253	December 17, 2019
Which butterfly instar larva pupate easy to observe? Nature Talk	1	127	April 24, 2026
Evening Primrose Flower Moth Pupation Nature Talk	5	575	November 6, 2021
Are you have a chance to watch butterfly instar larva pupate? Nature Talk	14	252	May 14, 2026
A quest to find moth larvae/caterpillars - any tips? Nature Talk question	14	1711	July 7, 2024

How long will a leaf roller pupate?

Related topics