Caterpillar Hunt!

Guide: Courtney McLaughlin

Program: Virginia is full of amazing, colorful, diverse caterpillars of all shapes and sizes, and we’re going to go find them! This will be a slow-paced walk, where you should wear appropriate footwear, bring water, and do what you need to to protect yourself from the sun and unwanted bugs (it’s been a bad tick year!). You’ll learn tips and tricks for looking for caterpillars, and we’ll certainly find some other interesting creatures along the way. The Quarry Gardens is rich with native plants, which leads to a lot of opportunity as far as finding insects goes. If you have a blacklight flashlight, bring it along, as they can be helpful around dusk.  

Courtney says: I’m a Virginia native who has spent a large quantity of time in New England, including volunteering and then working for the Caterpillar Lab in Marlborough, NH. Since moving back to Virginia in 2021, I have become a Master Naturalist with the Rivanna Chapter, where I serve on the Diversity Working Group and spend time volunteering with the Rivanna Conservation Alliance. During the summers, I enjoy moth lighting with my local Moth Squad, and help the Caterpillar Lab out at Mothapalooza in Ohio. Insects have been an interest of mine since childhood, and I think my favorite part about caterpillars and moths is that there is always so much more to learn.