WORMING HAIRLESS CATERPILLARS ON YELLOW TWIG DOGWOOD BUSH

[Sunpearls]

I have a yellow twig dogwood that went from green & leafy to bare. The leaves were chewed to pieces, remaining leaves had clumps of these ugly worm/caterpillers on the back side., at least 25 on each. They are very skiny, white with a deep black u-shaped designed running down their backs & a totally yellow belly. Size about 1-2 inches. Hairless......
I sprayed them with liquid sevin & they stood up on one end then keeled over to the ground. They have a round brownish head at one end. When they die they curl up in a circle, look like mini tires.
Any idea of what they are? I live in Morris Town, NJ.
Fell on my arms as I walked by, that's how I found them..how gross! :shock:

:X:(

[Newt]

Hi Sunpearls,

When I read, "Fell on my arms as I walked by, that's how I found them..how gross!", it gave me shivers.* There are thousands of caterpillars that become moths or butterflies.* I've looked at so many that I fear I will dream about them tonight!* :shock:* Too bad you didn't take any pictures.* :(

Here's a couple of unidentified moth caterpillars I found that closely resemble what you found.* These first two are different views of the same species.

Euppthecia species
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/61662068
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/61662069

Unknown
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/48622021

More possibilities:
Catalpa worm has a light and dark version.
http://www.javajane.co.uk/Smooth/sli...talpaworm.html
http://www.ag.auburn.edu/enpl/bullet...ar/photo22.htm

White flannel moth
http://www.ag.auburn.edu/enpl/bullet...lar/photo8.htm

Dogwood sawfly also comes to mind.* The larvae (caterpillars) change color as they age.
http://woodypests.cas.psu.edu/factsh...oodSawfly.html



This gallery is of unidentified moth caterpillars if you'd like to look.
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/unide...h_caterpillars

Named moth caterpillars
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/moth_caterpillars

Butterfly caterpillars
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/butterfly_caterpillars
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/i...t/families.htm

Two pages of smooth caterpillars to look at here.
http://www.javajane.co.uk/Smooth/index.html

If none of those fit I can get you more sites to look through.* It probably doesn't matter much as you've already used Sevin which should kill just about any insect, good or bad.* :(
http://www.safe2use.com/poisons-pest...rbaryl-old.htm

Newt