W
University of Washington
UW Botanic Gardens Logo Elisabeth C. Miller Library logo

3501 NE 41st Street, Seattle, WA 98195 | (206) 543 0415 | Open Monday 9-8; Tuesday - Friday 9-5; Saturday 9-3

 

Gardening Answers Knowledgebase

Search Results for ' Senecio jacobaea'

PAL Questions: 1 - Garden Tools:

Display all answers | Hide all answers

 

Keywords: caterpillars, Senecio jacobaea, Biological control, Noxious weeds--Washington, Weed control--Pacific Northwest

PAL Question:

I was just walking through a wild area in Seattle with lots of weeds, and came across some strange caterpillars. They are mostly hairless (to the naked eye, anyway), and are striped black over orange with black legs. Can you tell me what they are?

View Answer:

I believe you may have seen the Cinnabar moth caterpillar, Tyria jacobaeae, which was introduced to the United States to control a noxious weed, tansy ragwort (Senecio jacobaea). Here are pictures to compare, and more information:
Wikipedia
Flickr image
Gerald Durrell Jersey Zoo

Both Washington State's noxious weed control board and King County Noxious Weeds have information on weed control with Cinnabar caterpillars. (See page 5 of the document). Tansy ragwort is a Class B noxious weed, and control is required in King County.

Season All Season
Date 2009-07-16
Link to this record only (permalink)

 

Didn't find an answer to your question? Ask us directly!

Browse keywords or Search Again:

We are continually adding new questions, so be sure to keep coming back.

April 19 2012 16:02:30