Page 50 - 2024MarApr

Watchable Wildlife
Catalpa Sphinx Caterpillar
By Maggie Wood, Education Intern
CATALPA SPHINX CATERPILLAR

BY MAGGIE WOOD, EDUCATION INTERN

Every summer, from mid-June through so therefore it cannot feed. All the catal-
July, a favorite natural bait of many fisher- pa leaves that were eaten during the larva

man is abundantly available if they know stage is fuel for their next mission, which is
where to look. to mate and lay eggs — starting the cycle
“Catalpa worms” only feed on catalpa over again.

trees, and they only feed for a few weeks. Catalpa caterpillars are most valuable as
Catalpa trees are easy to recognize because fish bait when they are larva eating away on
of their light green, heart-shaped leaves. catalpa trees. The caterpillars are yellow or

Another distinctive characteristic is the green with a black stripe running down their
bean-like seed pods that are found after entire length. They have suction cup-like

the tree produces feet, a shiny black head, and a black spine
Catalpa worms are known its white flowers. or horn on their back. The caterpillars can
as “catfish candy” and “taffy The proper name grow up to 3 inches long.
worms,” which is a clue for for the catalpa Oldtimers, and anyone they passed their

just how good they are as worm is the catalpa knowledge to, will collect the worms as fish
fish bait. sphinx caterpillar. bait. Some will lay down a tarp or sheet and

These caterpillars use a pole to hit the leaves and branches to
eventually become sphinx moths (Ceratomia knock the worms to the ground. Once on

catalpae). Their life cycle consists of four stag- the sheet, the worms are easily collected
es: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. into a bucket or container. Another meth-
As an adult, the sphinx moth lays up to od of collection is to just pull them off the

1,000 eggs on the underside of a new catal- leaves one by one.
pa leaf in the spring. Those eggs hatch after Even though catalpa worms are only
10-14 days, and the larva start eating the catal- available in summer, catfish love them

pa leaves. The larva continue eating and will year-round dead or alive! To preserve a
molt five times before they leave the host tree summer haul to use later, boil the worms

to burrow into the ground. and place them on a towel until dry. Put
Once burrowed in the ground, the larva them in a sealable plastic bag with corn-
begins the pupal stage. The pupa will stay meal to freeze.

burrowed through winter. In spring, the Catalpa worms are known as “catfish
pupa emerges as an adult. As an adult, the candy” and “taffy worms,” which is a clue

catalpa sphinx moth does not have a mouth, for just how good they are as fish bait.

48 OUTDOOR OKLAHOMA