Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)

Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)

Harvester is definitely a classy, ultra-cool butterfly. These petite beauties are rarely encountered, but can be rather tame (as you can see).

This one, lapping up salt from Dave Powell's finger, was photographed in Buncombe Co., NC, 7/7/2002, one of seven we saw that day.

Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)

The caterpillars are carnivorous, feeding on the woolly aphids that suck on beech and alder trees. As you can see, they blend in quite well with their prey, like a wolf in sheep's clothing.

The aphids at left are Beech Blight Aphid (Grylloprociphilus imbricator).

Durham Co., NC 10/6/2012.

Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)

Durham Co., NC 10/6/2012.

Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)

This one was a surprise at the Bolin Creek Greenway in urban Chapel Hill.

Chapel Hill, Orange Co., NC 5/1/2010.

Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)

Dark Mountain, Uwharrie National Forest, Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)

Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.

Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)

Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.

Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)

Haywood Co., NC 6/13/09.

Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)

Buncombe Co., NC 7/7/02.

Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)

This one was critically injured by a car.

Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.

All photographs and text ©2013 by Will Cook unless otherwise noted.