I recently reviewed Heather Holm’s new book Pollinators of Native Plants, where I asked readers to leave comments telling us what they were doing for pollinators in their gardens (We had 2 copies of this book to give away to randomly chosen commenters).

Having pollinators in your garden is essential for the growth and production of many of your favorite flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators are essential for the health of our ecosystems and play a critical role in maintaining biodiversity. Here are some tips for attracting more pollinators to your garden.

Provide a source of nectar: Pollinators feed on the nectar produced by flowers, so planting a variety of flowering plants is one of the best ways to attract them. Choose native plants that bloom at different times of the year to provide a continuous source of nectar. Some great plants for attracting pollinators include lavender, salvia, cosmos, and sunflowers.

Offer a source of water: Pollinators need water for drinking and to cool themselves off on hot days. A shallow dish filled with pebbles and water will provide a safe place for pollinators to drink without the risk of drowning.

Create a habitat: Provide a safe place for pollinators to rest and lay their eggs by planting a variety of shrubs, flowers, and herbs that offer shelter and nesting sites. Native species, such as milkweeds, are especially good for attracting butterflies.

Avoid using pesticides: Pesticides can be harmful to pollinators and other beneficial insects, so it’s best to avoid using them in your garden. Instead, opt for natural pest control methods, such as handpicking pests, using companion planting, and attracting beneficial insects to your garden.

Plant in clusters: Pollinators are attracted to large groups of flowers, so planting in clusters is more effective than planting individual plants. Grouping plants of the same species together will make it easier for pollinators to find the flowers they need.

Provide a source of pollen: Pollinators feed on pollen as well as nectar, so planting plants with large, visible stamens will provide a good source of food for them. Plants like dandelions, goldenrods, and daisies are great for this purpose.

But last fall I was away for several months as I became my mother’s full-time caretaker while she was ill. And my wildlife garden finally succumbed to all of this neglect. The Norway Maple seedlings grew large, the Sweet Autumn Clematis swallowed everything is sight, English Ivy happily climbed all of the trees, Japanese Stilt Grass has made a thick impenetrable carpet, and lots of other invasive thugs have moved in.

Very few of my native plants remain in the mess that has swallowed my garden. I have been working diligently trying to pull these invaders out of my garden, but to little effect. There is just too many invasives and not enough hours in the day.

Here is a strategy to help you start over with planting your wildlife garden:

Remove all invasive plants: Before planting anything new, it’s essential to get rid of all invasive plants. This includes digging out their roots and removing any seeds.

Plan the garden: Decide on the location and size of the garden, and make a list of native plants that attract wildlife.

Test the soil: Get a soil test to determine soil pH, nutrient levels, and any potential contaminants. This information will help you determine what plants will thrive in your soil.

Choose native plants: Select plants that are native to your region and that support local wildlife.

Implement weed control: To prevent invasive plants from returning, use mulch and other weed control methods to prevent weed growth.

Plan for maintenance: Develop a maintenance plan to keep the garden healthy and free of invasive plants. This may include pruning, watering, and fertilizing.

Monitor progress: Regularly monitor the garden to ensure it is healthy and thriving. Make any necessary adjustments to the garden to maintain its health and to keep invasive plants at bay.

By following these steps, you can successfully start over with planting your wildlife garden and create a thriving, sustainable environment for wildlife.

Libby was very excited because she had her mom’s old iPhone and she wanted to document our adventure and develop her photography skills. Here’s a look at our day through the eyes of this budding naturalist.

Wildlife refuges, nature centers, and many parks are devoted to teaching kids about the wonders of nature, and John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge is no exception.

The visitors center is full of interactive displays, dioramas, and taxidermied specimens so that children can see various wildlife species up close, and to practice using binoculars. John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge has a binocular lending program, and even kids binoculars that you can borrow during your visit (you just have to leave your car keys with them to remind you to return the binoculars before you leave).

The large glass windows look out to a bird feeding station, where the Wild Turkeys often come to feed. This is exciting for the kids, and for me as well, because large birds that don’t move very fast are wonderful to teach kids how to use their binoculars to get good looks at these birds. Learning to focus on large birds makes it much easier to learn to see smaller birds, too.

There are lots of educational signs placed throughout John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, and these are every bit as much fun for kids as seeing any wildlife, and are a fun way for Libby to practice her reading skills and teach Libby and Penny about the nature each sign is describing.

In fact, Libby loved the signs so much, she photographed many of them. The Wild Turkey on the sign was almost as much fun as seeing the Wild Turkey come to visit the feeder.

The bridge over the impoundment is lined with painted signs showing various wildlife, which 3 year old Emmett found particularly exciting.

Also on the bridge are some life-sized paintings of the wing span of several raptors.

Some are the same size as a 5 year old’s “wingspan”

But the Bald Eagle takes all 3 kid’s arms to be as big as this Eagle.

Libby, Penny, and Emmett have spent so much time outside enjoying nature with their parents that they are quite adept at creating their own fun, like finding a “balance beam” and practicing the art of the dismount, just like the Olympics.

The bridge also has a powerful spotting scope for looking at far-away birds (or each other), which was great fun for Libby, Penny and Emmett.

There’s are lots of strategically-placed benches to rest and have a picnic snack

Turn off the TV, unplug the iPads, and take your kids outside to discover the natural world nearby. Your kids will learn so much, and you will have many fond memories of the fun adventures you will have!

Plant a wildlife garden, and you will have endless days of discovery with your own favorite nature kids right in your own backyard.

Amazing, but true. It’s barely spring and some areas in the northeast still have snow on the ground but some nesting birds have already begun their work.

Bald Eagles build their nests in mid-February and are already sitting on eggs. We are all very excited that the Eagles have chosen to nest for the second year in a row at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in the shadow of the Philadelphia airport near my home.

This wildlife refuge is right in the path of planes taking off from the airport so it was huge news in my area last year when the Bald Eagles successfully nested here last year for the first time ever.

Also be on the lookout for Great Horned Owl nests. They actually built their nests in late January and the fledglings should be taking their first flight quite soon. Although these nests are quite large, they are skillfully hidden high in the trees. When you get to spot those adorable white fluffy heads poking up above the nest, it’s an amazing sight.

Barred Owls started nesting early this month. I’ve had the great pleasure of having a pair of these owls spend the winter in and around my wildlife garden for the past 10 years. I just love spending winter evenings standing on my deck and listening to them calling back and forth.

The Eastern Screech Owls have just started building their nests and laying eggs. The fledglings should be taking their first flights in the beginning of May. You may still have time to entice these birds to nest in your wildlife garden by hanging a nest box just for them.

American Woodcock are filling the dusk sky with their amazing mating flights. Check with your local nature center because many offer evening Woodcock Walks where you’ll get to see this amazing display.

Nesting birds are one of the greatest joys of creating a wildlife garden for me. I am truly amazed at this miracle of life every year.

When I did, I discovered a “soul mate,” someone who was just as excited and knowledgeable about the necessity of sharing our gardens with wildlife as I was. She has been my friend and mentor for many years now.

Pat Sutton is an author and educator who has been teaching workshops and leading garden tours through private garden habitats for the past thirty years. She is an avid naturalist, finding amazement and fascination in all parts of the natural world around her.

She and her husband, Clay, live near Cape May, NJ, and their new landmark book, Birds and Birding at Cape May, is the in-depth result of their efforts over many years documenting and protecting the migration and the hometown that they so love.

Birds and Birding at Cape May by Sutton and Lewington is an informative and comprehensive guide to bird-watching at one of the world’s premier birding sites. The authors provide detailed descriptions of the wide variety of bird species that can be found in the region, as well as tips and tricks for making the most of your bird-watching experience. The book is filled with stunning photographs of the birds, and the authors provide detailed information on the habitats, behavior, and identification of each species. The book also includes an extensive checklist of birds in the area, as well as a wealth of other resources such as maps, migration information, and tips for finding rare birds. Birders of all levels of experience will find this book to be an invaluable resource for a successful birding trip to Cape May.

Pat has been teaching workshops for many years on subjects such as Milkweed for Monarchs, Butterfly Gardens I have known, Dragonfly Ponds, Tours of Private Habitat Gardens, Wildlife Habitat Gardens, and Gardening for Butterflies.

Pat has developed quite a following of devoted gardeners who have taken all of her workshops and have created amazing habitats in their gardens. This army of gardeners is spreading the word by sharing their knowledge with their friends and neighbors, encouraging them to create garden habitats as well. This is a true grass-roots movement, spreading from Pat through the participants in her classes, and from there out into neighborhoods all over South Jersey and Pennsylvania and beyond. (See one of Pat’s “army” featured here).

The many gardens for wildlife in Cape May are a beautiful testament to Pat’s dedication and enthusiasm in reaching out to new recruits and instilling in them the passion for spreading this very important message: we can each make a difference for wildlife from our own properties.

Pat is a founding member of the North American Butterfly Association and avid butterfly gardener.

She coauthored, with David Wright, CMBO’s “Cape May County Butterfly Checklist” and the Cape May County butterfly site guide in Jeffrey Glassberg’s Butterflies Through Binoculars.

Today, Pat and Clay are free-lance writers, naturalists, lecturers, and tour leaders. Articles and photography by Pat & Clay have appeared in New Jersey Audubon, Peregrine Observer, New Jersey Outdoors, Sanctuary, American Butterflies, Wild Bird, Bird Watcher’s Digest, Birder’s World, Birding, Living Bird, Defenders, and others.

Her other books, with her husband Clay, How to Spot Butterflies, How to Spot Hawks & Eagles, How to Spot an Owl, all by Houghton Mifflin, are a testament to the joy they take in the natural world around them and devotion to sharing this passion with others.

Follow Pat on facebook.

They face many perils along this journey as well as in their wintering homes. Here, they are in danger from habitat loss, pesiticides, and genetically modified crops. In Mexico logging and destruction of the forests where they spend the winter is a major concern.

And that’s where your garden comes in. Your butterfly garden can play a crucial role in ensuring their success in this long migration.

First, Monarchs need milkweed (Asclepias spp) because that’s the only plant the caterpillars can eat. Milkweed is treated like a weed in many places, and if often sprayed with Roundup and other herbicides. So when you plant lots of milkweed in your ecosystem garden, you’re already helping them out.

Next, you can have your garden certified as a Monarch Waystation. Your best bets for creating Monarch habitat:

• Plant Milkweed in a sunny area with well-drained soil
• Both butterflies and caterpillars need shelter from predators
• Milkweeds of differentspecies mature and flower at different times during the season. By increasing the number of milkweedspecies in your habitat you will increase the likelihood that monarchs will utilize your property for alonger period during the breeding season
• Nectar. Adult butterflies feed on nectar, so plant a wide variety of plants that bloom from spring through fall
• Don’t use pesticide

And finally, support the organizations who are working so hard to protect this endangered phenomena, both here and in Mexico.

My favorite, aside from Monarch Watch who sponsor the Monarch Waystation program, is the Monarch Monitoring Project in Cape May, NJ. They have been tagging and tracking these beautiful butterflies for many years now, and working to answer many questions:

• How many Monarchs that pass through Cape May actually make it to their wintering grounds in Michoacan Mexico in the Trans Volcanic Mountains?
• How many miles do they travel each day?
• What is the migratory pathway that they travel?
• Do all Monarch Butterflies use the same pathway?

They’ve been researching the answers to these questions since 1991, and if you’re ever in Cape May during late September and October, stop by and see their demonstration in the pavilion near the hawk watch platform at Cape May Point State Park.

Who pays these bills? Taxpayers do.

This means that a large amount of our tax dollars is being spent trying to control invasive species. In the United States, the estimated cost of controlling invasive species is $138 billion per year, introduced plants cost approximately $23.4 billion in annual crop losses, and invasive species now occupy more than 100 million acres and are spreading at the rate of 3 million acres every year.

There are many beautiful native alternatives to invasive plants. Please check with your local native plant society for suggestion of native plants appropriate for your area.

Many of these out-of-control plants have been introduced by the horticultural trade

Many of these out-of-control plants have been introduced by the horticultural trade for use in our gardens. Our desire to be unique, to possess something new, has created a vast market for the importation of exotic species.

Some of these plants have been used in gardens for more than 100 years prior to them escaping from our gardens, becoming invasive, and consuming our wild places.

The fact that some of these species have been in cultivation in our gardens for so many years before they escaped and became invasive makes the importation of more and more exotic species a scary concept.

How do we know which plant will be named the next noxious pest? Do you want to be responsible for the next invasion?

Most Hated Plants

Some of these plants have become very familiar to most of us: Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), kudzu (Peuraria montana), Porcelainberry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata) and multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora).

I’ve begun cataloging some of the worst offenders in the “most hated plants” ongoing feature.

If you live in southern Florida you are probably aware of Melaleuca which is spreading aggressively throughout the everglades, wreaking havoc on native plant and wildlife communities.

If you live in any of the western states, you have spent large amounts of time picking the sharp seed spikes of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) from your clothing. Cheatgrass was imported from Eurasia as a promising forage plant in drylands for cattle but has now spread invasively across most of the continental U. S. and causes additional problems because it can increase the intensity of fires.

It is very important that you contact your local county extension office or do a Google search (example “invasive plants in Pennsylvania”) to obtain a list of invasive plants in your area.

Never purchase or plant any species from this list in your garden. Carry this list with you every time you shop for plants. If the plant you are considering is on this list DO NOT PURCHASE IT!

Some plant breeders are attempting to create hybrids of some of these plants which they claim are sterile and therefore are unable to reproduce and cause environmental harm. For example, a “sterile” form of purple loosestrife has been developed, but scientists have shown that these cultivars do produce fertile seeds when they are cross-pollinated by a different cultivar.

The low-down on Buddleia

It may come as a surprise to many butterfly gardeners that the number one recommended plant for attracting butterflies, Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii and hybrids), is considered an invasive species in many states.

I have seen this myself in West Cape May, NJ, where this species is now appearing in already fragile dune ecosystems. The mere suggestion that this plant should be avoided has been the cause of many people becoming quite upset with me.

How can I possibly say not to use a plant that every book about butterfly gardening and every gardening guru says is the best plant to use to attract butterflies with its nectar? How can all those other people be wrong? It is my stance on the use of this particular plant that has gotten me accused of being a “native plant nazi.”

This plant has become established outside of the garden from New England and Michigan south to Georgia and on the west coast from British Columbia south through California. In Oregon, it is overtaking native plant communities along streambanks because of its dense, thicket-like growth and because it shades out native plants.

The problem with Buddleia is that it produces prodigious amounts of seeds; a single flower stalk can produce more than 40,000 seeds which are dispersed by wind and water. It is imperative if you have this plant in your garden that you deadhead all flower stalks after bloom; do not leave these in the garden or compost them after pruning, they must be thrown away or burned.

Part of the reason that I have such strong feelings about this plant is that no matter how much it is stressed to gardeners that this plant must be deadheaded, very few people actually carry out this task. If we really must have this plant in our gardens, we must each take responsibility for preventing its spread. If you cannot commit to deadheading, then this plant should not be in your garden.

Taking Responsibility for Our Own Actions

Because so many plants that are now considered invasive have been introduced by the horticultural trade, it is up to each of us to take responsibility for keeping these plants out of our little corner of the planet.

It is our responsibility to discover which plants are invasive in our state and not perpetuate their spread by purchasing them for our gardens.

It may be helpful to educate the owners of the local garden center that these plants are causing extreme ecological and economic damage and encourage them to discontinue the sale of any invasive plants. They may or may not be responsive to this, but we can only hope that with enough education of all involved parties that we can slow the spread of these plants.

It is my fondest wish that all nurseries, and especially Home Depot and Lowes (because of their enormous market share) would decide to do the right thing and discontinue the sale of any invasive plant!

My favorite author, Doug Tallamy (Bringing Nature Home) puts the importance of your birdscaped garden this way:

Now, for the first time in its history, gardening has taken on a role that transcends the needs of the gardener. Like it or not, gardeners have become important players in the management of our nation’s wildlife. It is now within the power of individual gardeners to do something that we all dream of doing: to “make a difference.”

Birdscaping is one of the very few activities that truly follows the motto “If you build it, they will come,” and grants immediate gratification.

I’ve seen proof of this over and over in my work designing and installing wildlife gardens. One day I was installing a long waterfall into a pond because my client wanted to provide a water source for the birds. I was just smoothing the liner into the trench when suddenly there was a Black-throated Green Warbler hopping along the waterfall, even though there was no water yet.

Believe me, I got that liner installed, inserted the rocks to create the waterfall and got the water running in record time! And you will experience this as well when you choose to birdscape your garden.

Here are some tips to help you birdscape your garden:

Feed the birds: Fill up some bird feeders with your feathered friends’ favorite snacks or plant shrubs and trees that produce berries and seeds.

Give them a drink: A bird bath or small pond is a must-have for any bird-friendly garden. Trust me, they’ll thank you for it.

Create a cozy home: Set up birdhouses or plant native shrubs that provide great hiding spots for birds to nest and take a break from the world.

Be mindful of chemicals: Pesticides can be harmful to birds, so try to use them sparingly or opt for more natural options.

Plant native vegetation: Native plants not only look great, but they support the entire food chain for birds, from insects to berries.

Add bird-friendly elements: Birdhouses, feeders, baths, and perches are all great additions to any bird-friendly garden. Just make sure to choose natural materials like wood or metal instead of plastic.

Welcome natural predators: Encourage birds, bats, and ladybugs to your garden to control pests and keep your plants healthy.

Observe and enjoy: Take a moment to sit back, relax, and observe the birds in your garden. Snap some photos, keep a journal, and enjoy the beauty of nature right in your own backyard.

With these tips, you’re well on your way to creating a bird-friendly garden that’s both beautiful and functional. Happy gardening!

Live in the city and only have a balcony? No problem

Live in a condo and only have a front walkway or a small back porch? No problem there either

You can create wildlife habitat in a window box. You can welcome butterflies with a few garden pots on your balcony. You can attract Hummingbirds in even the tiniest of garden spaces.

How, you ask?

Container Gardens for Wildlife!

I’ve gathered the best container garden for wildlife resources from around the web to help you get started.

Habitat Containers

If you enjoy watching wildlife, hopefully you have a little seating area tucked somewhere into your garden where you can sit, relax and watch the visitors to your backyard habitat. Even if your outdoor space is small, you can still bring the birds and butterflies up close by including habitat containers on your patio and and near to your living spaces. Habitat containers are just a fancy name for any outdoor container with plants because really, any outdoor potted plants can provide some basic resources for wildlife, including shade, shelter, food and nesting sites for tiny beneficial insects, birds and even insect-gobbling amphibians such as toads…. ~ Ellen Sousa at Beautiful Wildlife Garden

Habitat Planters – A Recipe for Attracting Beneficial Insects

Do annuals have a place in a wildlife garden? Absolutely. Annuals attract beneficial insects and many annuals are an important source of nectar for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. And let’s face it, no matter how many native trees, shrubs and perennials you have in your garden or even if you have a well-designed habitat garden, there are going to be gaps in your sequence of flowering and times when you want some extra color in your garden. Annuals are the perfect way to fill the gaps and, if chosen properly, attract more beneficial insects…. ~Debbie Roberts at Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens

Native Plants in Containers

Yes, you can! Native plants grow in containers just as well as exotic plants do, we just aren’t used to seeing them there. Patio and balcony owners, go ahead; fill those pots with natives instead of geraniums. You will benefit wildlife just like a yard owner, and enjoy a much more interesting show as well. I have been experimenting with natives in pots for several years, and this year I ran a trial on a second story balcony. I decided to try as many different natives as I could fit in my row of pots. Here is my short list of tips for pot-growing…. ~Suzanne Dingwell at Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens

Reflections on my container garden

By the time late February rolls around in northeastern New York, the people here are noticeably cranky and socially awkward after 4 months of freezing rain and snow. The gardeners I know (and everyone else I know, really) long to be surrounded by the color green again instead of the color gray…. And a visit will inevitably drum up some inspiration for new container gardening projects in the near future. For example, seeing the turbid lettuce, cilantro, mustard greens and pepper seedlings growing at the store was nearly intoxicating. And I reflect on how we can provide for wildlife on a smaller scale than we usually think of…. ~Jesse Elwert Peters at Beautiful Wildlife Garden

Native Plants and Balconies

Planning a garden on a balcony is often a challenging prospect, but using native plants can both help, and cause further frustration. Balconies are a very different environment from the places native plants usually grow. Balcony gardening is possible for nearly every size and shape they come in. It’s possible to also attract great wildlife on balconies. I’ve had several species of lady beetles, other beetles, spiders, wasps, hoverflies and other interesting species of flies, bees and Humminbirds… ~Kelly Brenner at Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens

Habitat Containers for Hummingbirds

I’d like to showcase some hummingbird-attracting plants suitable for growing in pots and containers. You’ll notice most of them have red tubular-shaped flowers, which are perfectly adapted to accommodate the long bill of a hummingbird. Note: These plants are all annuals in New England, or perennials hardy to warmer areas that can be brought into an unheated garage or porch to overwinter in cold climates…. ~Ellen Sousa at Beautiful Wildlife Garden

Make Your Deck Into a Wildlife Oasis: 3 Simple Steps

Do you live in an urban area or apartment complex? Is there a limit to how much green space there is at your home? No worries. With a little confidence and a few simple steps, you can make your own wildlife-friendly oasis a “mini-habitat” for wild creatures. It is always pleasantly surprising to see the wide range of birds, butterflies and other creatures who will find refuge, food and water on a properly equipped deck or patio. That is very good news for people who love wildlife, enjoy a little gardening and don’t have much room for even a small backyard habitat. Here are three steps that will convert your deck or patio into an effective wildlife haven… ~Kevin Coyle at Wildlife Promise of the National Wildlife Federation

Summer Wildlife on the Balcony Garden

Gardening on a balcony is a constant challenge. Every year I learn more about what works and what doesn’t for each plant species. Throughout much of the year I am moving the containers around and adapting the balcony for the changes in the season. However, despite the challenges of keeping the plants happy, wildlife is abundant on my small balcony. I have all the necessary elements for habitat; water in a shallow container with rocks for perching, shelter in the form of an insect hotel and clumping plants, food in the form of nectar and seeding plants, and a place to raise young, which was demonstrated by the lady beetles in the lettuce…. ~Kelly Brenner at the Metropolitan Field Guide

Tantalize Your Butterflies (or How to Make a Container Garden a Habitat)

Influenced by Tallamy’s principles and offered the challenge to create a 5’ x 5’ container garden for the 2011 Boston Flower and Garden Show (one of ELA’s outreach programs), I chose to design a container garden of native habitat plants that attract butterflies. The final design is an early-blooming woodland garden filled with native plants that host and attract butterflies along with other pollinators and birds… ~Nanette Masi at Ecological Landscaping Association

Containers for the Birds

As a wildlife habitat gardener, I know how important it is to leave as many seedheads and spent flowers standing in my garden in the winter for food and cover for birds and small mammals. But my garden has taken a beating over the past several weeks. I decided to use others in some containers for my patio that would add some visual interest for me but also provide some food for the birds. Admittedly, these are not my most beautiful containers designs but they do the trick…. ~Debbie Roberts at Garden of Possibilities

Window Box Gardens

My window box would naturally have to provide plants for some of my favorite wildlife species, pollinators. The brilliant thing about window boxes is that they can be placed essentially everywhere and that’s exactly where you find them. I’ve seen beautiful boxes full of blooms in the heart of old town Tallinn and city centers all over Europe including Prague and Berlin. I’ve seen them in the iconic alps and in the middle of Seattle….

A Wildlife Habitat Garden, No Matter How Small

So remember, not matter how small your garden, whether a window box, a balcony, a patio, or a deck, you can create welcoming habitat by making a container garden for wildlife.

Are you gardening for wildlife in a small space using containers? I’d love to hear all about it. Please describe your wildlife garden containers by leaving a comment below.

We’ve set the stage. We’ve planted a wide variety of native plants that attract lots of different kinds of wildlife. And we’ve been blessed by an amazing variety of wildlife species who have chosen to share our space with us.

Gardening for wildlife is truly one of the few things that you can do in this world that has such immediate benefits for wildlife, and for you too as you begin to notice the wonders of nature that can be found right in your own backyard wildlife garden.

Creating a wildlife garden is really an If You Build It, They Will Come activity.

The Saddleback caterpillar pictured above was observed during a visit to my friend Pat Sutton’s beautiful wildlife garden in Cape May, NJ.

The saddleback caterpillar (Acharia stimulea) is a species of caterpillar that is native to North America. It is commonly known for its distinctive appearance, with a brownish-green body covered in long, hair-like spines, and a distinctive brown saddle-shaped marking on its back.

Saddleback caterpillars feed on the leaves of a variety of trees and shrubs, including oak, hickory, and citrus. While they are not considered a major pest, heavy infestations can cause significant defoliation of trees and shrubs.

The saddleback caterpillar’s spines contain toxins that can cause skin irritation, rashes, and even anaphylactic shock in some people. If you come into contact with a saddleback caterpillar, it’s important to wash your skin thoroughly and avoid touching your face or eyes.

The saddleback caterpillar undergoes a complete metamorphosis, transforming into a green-brown pupa before emerging as a moth. The adult moths are not harmful to people or plants, and play an important role in the ecosystem as pollinators and as a food source for birds and other predators.