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Subject: Re: What is this critter?
From: orangerose@aol.com (Orangerose)
Organization: AOL http://www.aol.com
Date: Tue, 05 Oct 99 21:58:41
Message-ID: <MOD$991005.3585@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
References: <MOD$991004.13850@rec.gardens.ecosystems>



>There is a small (1/2 inch long) caterpillar on the seedy part of my
>sunflower.
> I looked in my insect book and didn't find one that fit this description: it
>has greyish black stripes alongside whitish stripes running the length of the
>body. The head/eye area is terra cotta color. What could it be?
>
>MsPeach
>USDA zone 9, Los Altos, California zone 16
>To e-mail, remove .mil.org
>
>

Here in San Francisco, I have lots of syrphid fly larvae (aphid predators) on
my sunflowers. Small heads, fatter bodies, double, creamy stripes on bright
green. If you're not sure, watch them for a bit and see if they are eating
aphids...it's really satisfying to see!

Kelly