The Harvester is North America's only carnivorous butterfly — its caterpillar feeds exclusively on woolly aphid colonies, eating the insects rather than plants. Adults have no proboscis long enough to nectar effectively and feed instead on aphid honeydew, dung, and moisture. Its small orange wings with dark borders are distinctive and it flies in short, rapid bursts near alder thickets.
Habitat
Moist woodlands near alder with woolly aphid colonies
Diet
Larvae: woolly aphids. Adults: aphid honeydew and moisture
How common
Uncommon
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