Whatever draws us into the forest—be it birdwatching or logging, hiking or hunting—all of us are unified by the sense of wonder we feel in the outdoors. The forests, fields, and streams of our region are full of mystery, and if you stop and look closely, you’ll see all sorts of oddities.
Below find a picture of one such woodlands curio. Guess what it is and you’ll be eligible to win a Northern Woodlands woodpecker magnet designed by artist Liz Wahid. A prize winner will be drawn at random from all the correct entries. The correct answer, and the winner’s name, will appear when the next column is posted and in our newsletter (sign up here!).
This photo was taken along a Vermont dirt road in mid-July. Who is this yellow fellow?
Elm sawfly larva.
You won’t find this yellow fellow in your butterfly and moth guide because it’s not a caterpillar: it’s the larva of an elm sawfly (Cimbex americana). Elm sawflies are a type of wasp. As larvae, they can grow up to two inches long, and feed on the foliage of elms, willows, and other trees.
This week’s contest winner was Cally McCrave of Lyme, NH