When you step into your East Tennessee garden or explore the region’s lush forests, you’re entering a world where some of nature’s most fascinating transformations unfold daily. The caterpillars you encounter represent a critical life stage that will soon give way to beautiful butterflies and moths.
Understanding how to identify these species isn’t just about satisfying curiosity—it’s about recognizing which ones pose potential risks and which ones benefit your local ecosystem.
From the iconic Monarch caterpillar with its striking black, white, and yellow bands to the intimidating but harmless Hickory Horned Devil, each species tells a unique story of adaptation and survival.
You’ll discover that some caterpillars serve as nature’s cleanup crew, while others act as specialized plant managers, and a few might require your careful attention due to their defensive capabilities.
Safety First: Always observe caterpillars without touching them directly. Some species have defensive hairs or spines that can cause skin irritation. When garden maintenance requires moving caterpillars, use gloves or gently encourage them onto a leaf or stick.
Types of Caterpillars in East Tennessee
Monarch Caterpillar
The Monarch caterpillar (Danaus plexippus) stands as one of the most recognizable caterpillars in East Tennessee, serving as a living symbol of one of nature’s most remarkable migration stories.
Key Identification Features:
- Distinctive black, white, and yellow striped pattern running lengthwise
- Two pairs of black tentacles—one set near the head, another near the rear
- Smooth body texture reaching 2 inches when fully grown
- Black head with yellowish markings
Primary Host Plants: Exclusively feeds on milkweed species (Asclepias), including common milkweed, swamp milkweed, and butterfly weed
You’ll typically find Monarch caterpillars from late spring through early fall in East Tennessee, as multiple generations pass through the region. These caterpillars serve as nature’s chemical warfare specialists—their exclusive milkweed diet makes them toxic to most predators.
The cardiac glycosides they consume create a defense system so effective that even their bright warning colors have evolved to advertise their unpalatability.
When you observe a Monarch caterpillar, you’re witnessing a creature that may be part of the final generation destined for Mexico’s overwintering sites, a journey spanning thousands of miles that represents one of the animal kingdom’s most extraordinary navigational feats.
Black Swallowtail Caterpillar
The Black Swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio polyxenes) transforms dramatically through its development, earning recognition as both a garden pest and a fascinating example of caterpillar camouflage evolution.
Key Identification Features:
- Early stages: Small, black with white saddle marking (bird dropping mimicry)
- Mature stage: Bright green with black bands dotted with yellow or orange spots
- Orange-yellow osmeterium (defensive organ) when threatened
- Smooth body texture, reaching 2 inches in length
Primary Host Plants: Carrot family members including parsley, dill, fennel, Queen Anne’s lace, and wild carrot
Black Swallowtail caterpillars earn the nickname “parsley caterpillars” for their tendency to appear on herb gardens throughout East Tennessee. During their early instars, these caterpillars employ masterful mimicry, resembling bird droppings so convincingly that predators pass them by without a second glance.
The transformation to their final green form represents one of nature’s most dramatic makeovers. When threatened, mature caterpillars deploy their osmeterium—a forked, orange-yellow organ that emerges from behind their head, releasing a foul odor while mimicking a snake’s tongue. This multi-layered defense system makes them particularly well-adapted to survival in both wild and cultivated environments.
Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar
The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio glaucus) represents one of Tennessee’s most widespread and adaptable species, capable of thriving on an impressive variety of host plants.
Key Identification Features:
- Bright green body with enlarged thorax creating a “big head” appearance
- Two large black, yellow, and blue eyespots behind the true head
- Yellow and black band between first and second abdominal segments
- Blue spotting along the abdomen when fully mature
Primary Host Plants: Wild cherry, birch, cottonwood, willow, tulip tree, basswood, and ash trees
Tiger Swallowtail caterpillars showcase nature’s artistry in defensive design. Their enlarged thorax with prominent eyespots creates an illusion so convincing that predators often mistake them for small snakes. This mimicry proves so effective that even experienced naturalists sometimes do a double-take when encountering these remarkable larvae.
These caterpillars demonstrate remarkable adaptability, successfully feeding on trees from multiple plant families—a trait that has contributed to their success across Tennessee’s diverse ecosystems. Their ability to utilize everything from forest edge trees to urban plantings makes them one of the most likely swallowtail caterpillars you’ll encounter in East Tennessee.
Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar
The Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio troilus) excels at creating one of nature’s most convincing snake impersonations, complete with inflatable defense mechanisms.
Key Identification Features:
- Bright green body with yellow lateral stripe and blue spots
- Large black and yellow eyespots on enlarged thorax
- Bright yellow osmeterium (appears red in some individuals)
- Dark patch on rear end distinguishing it from similar species
Primary Host Plants: Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), sassafras, and other Lauraceae family members
Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillars take defensive mimicry to extraordinary levels. When threatened, they rear up and extend their bright osmeterium, creating a convincing snake impression complete with “forked tongue.” This performance often startles even large predators into retreat.
These caterpillars show remarkable host plant specialization, thriving almost exclusively on the Lauraceae family. In East Tennessee’s woodlands and forest edges, you’ll find them creating silk shelters by folding leaves around themselves, emerging primarily to feed during daylight hours.
Pipevine Swallowtail Caterpillar
The Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillar (Battus philenor) serves as nature’s warning system made manifest—a creature whose appearance accurately advertises its genuine toxicity.
Key Identification Features:
- Deep reddish-brown to dark brown body coloration
- Prominent red or orange spikes along the back
- Rows of smaller spikes along the body sides
- Reaches approximately 2 inches when fully grown
Primary Host Plants: Dutchman’s pipe (Aristolochia species), Virginia snakeroot, and other birthwort family plants
Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillars represent genuine danger in the insect world—not to humans, but to any predator foolish enough to consume them. Their exclusive diet of Aristolochia plants loads their bodies with aristolochic acids, creating a toxicity so potent that birds often vomit after attempting to eat them.
These caterpillars feed in groups during their early stages, creating a collective warning display that amplifies their individual threat signals. Their bold coloration and prominent spikes serve as honest advertising—unlike many caterpillars that bluff with warning colors, these larvae deliver on their promises of unpalatability.
Giant Leopard Moth Caterpillar
The Giant Leopard Moth caterpillar (Hypercompe scribonia) creates one of nature’s most striking visual displays while maintaining complete harmlessness despite its intimidating appearance.
Key Identification Features:
- Dense covering of black bristles across entire body
- Red or orange bands visible when caterpillar stretches
- Curls into defensive ball when threatened
- Grows up to 3 inches in length
Primary Host Plants: Cherry, cabbage, dandelion, maple, orange, sunflower, violet, and willow
Safety Note: Completely harmless despite threatening appearance—safe to handle with normal precautions
Giant Leopard Moth caterpillars master the art of defensive bluffing. Their dramatic black bristles and ball-curling behavior create an intimidating display that convinces most predators to seek easier prey elsewhere. When threatened, they reveal flashes of red or orange coloration that enhances their warning display.
These generalist feeders adapt to a remarkable variety of plants, making them successful in both wild and cultivated areas throughout East Tennessee. Their ability to utilize everything from ornamental flowers to fruit trees demonstrates the flexibility that has made them one of the region’s most widespread moth species.
Woolly Bear Caterpillar
The Woolly Bear caterpillar (Pyrrharctia isabella) stands as one of East Tennessee’s most beloved caterpillars, famous for its freeze-resistance and weather folklore connections.
Key Identification Features:
- Dense, bristly hair covering entire body
- Black front and rear sections with reddish-brown middle band
- Band proportions vary among individuals
- Reaches 2 inches when fully grown
Primary Host Plants: Generalist feeder consuming plantain, dandelion, clover, grasses, and various broadleaf plants
Woolly Bear caterpillars possess one of nature’s most remarkable survival adaptations—the ability to freeze solid and thaw out unharmed. During Tennessee’s winter months, these caterpillars produce natural antifreeze compounds that allow ice crystals to form in their body cavities without damaging vital organs.
Despite persistent folklore suggesting Woolly Bears predict winter severity based on their band proportions, scientific research shows no correlation between their coloration and weather patterns. However, their genuine survival abilities far exceed any predictive powers—some Arctic populations survive multiple freeze-thaw cycles over several years before reaching maturity.
Luna Moth Caterpillar
The Luna Moth caterpillar (Actias luna) represents one of East Tennessee’s most elegant caterpillars, destined to become one of North America’s most spectacular moths.
Key Identification Features:
- Bright green body with pale yellow lines on each segment
- Red tubercles with short bristles along the sides
- Yellow stripe running below the spiracles
- Grows up to 3.5 inches in length
Primary Host Plants: Walnut, hickory, persimmon, sweet gum, and sumac trees
Luna Moth caterpillars embody the perfect fusion of beauty and function. Their bright green coloration provides exceptional camouflage among leaves, while their subtle yellow markings break up their body outline. These caterpillars spin their cocoons among fallen leaves, where they remain throughout Tennessee’s winter months.
As members of the giant silk moth family, Luna caterpillars will transform into adults that lack functional mouthparts—their entire adult existence focuses on reproduction, sustained by energy stores accumulated during their caterpillar stage. This makes their larval feeding period crucial for their eventual success as winged adults.
Polyphemus Moth Caterpillar
The Polyphemus Moth caterpillar (Antheraea polyphemus) ranks among East Tennessee’s largest caterpillars, distinguished by its impressive size and distinctive tubercle patterns.
Key Identification Features:
- Bright green body with reddish-brown head
- Six orange tubercles with black bristles on each body segment
- Horizontal yellow lines along each side (unlike Luna’s vertical lines)
- Reaches up to 3 inches in length
Primary Host Plants: Oak, maple, birch, willow, elm, and various fruit trees
Polyphemus caterpillars demonstrate nature’s efficiency in energy conversion—each individual consumes approximately 86,000 times its original body weight during development. This remarkable feeding capacity allows them to store the energy reserves needed for their non-feeding adult stage.
These caterpillars show impressive host plant adaptability, successfully developing on trees from multiple plant families. Their broad dietary preferences make them one of the most likely large caterpillars you’ll encounter on Tennessee’s diverse tree species. When ready to pupate, they incorporate leaves into their cocoons, creating natural camouflage for their winter survival.
Cecropia Moth Caterpillar
The Cecropia Moth caterpillar (Hyalophora cecropia) holds the distinction of becoming North America’s largest moth, making their caterpillar stage equally impressive in scale and appearance.
Key Identification Features:
- Bright green body reaching up to 4 inches in length
- Four orange-red tubercles with black bristles near the head
- Paired yellow tubercles with black spines on body segments
- Light blue tubercles along the sides
Primary Host Plants: Cherry, maple, birch, willow, elder, and various fruit trees
Cecropia caterpillars represent the giants of Tennessee’s moth world, both in their larval stage and as adults. Their elaborate tubercle arrangements create a defensive display that warns predators while providing sensory information about their environment.
These caterpillars undergo dramatic color changes throughout their development, starting as small black larvae before transforming into their final spectacular green form. Their cocoons, attached to tree branches, often persist through multiple seasons, making them among the most noticeable signs of giant silk moth presence in East Tennessee woodlands.
Io Moth Caterpillar
The Io Moth caterpillar (Automeris io) serves as one of East Tennessee’s primary examples of defensive weaponry in the caterpillar world—beautiful but requiring respectful distance.
Key Identification Features:
- Light green to yellow body coloration
- Red stripe bordered by white stripe along the sides
- Clusters of branching spines along the back and sides
- Reaches 2.5 inches when fully mature
Primary Host Plants: Oak, maple, elm, birch, willow, and various shrubs
Caution: Venomous spines can cause painful stings and skin irritation—observe without touching
Io Moth caterpillars pack genuine defensive power in their attractive package. Their branching spines contain venom that causes immediate pain, followed by potential swelling and prolonged itching. Despite their hazardous nature, these caterpillars serve important ecological roles as both herbivores and prey for specialized predators.
The contrast between their beautiful appearance and defensive capabilities makes Io caterpillars excellent teachers about nature’s complexity. Their spines break off easily when contacted, embedding in skin and releasing venom—a defense mechanism that proves highly effective against most potential threats.
Hickory Horned Devil
The Hickory Horned Devil (Citheronia regalis) claims the title of East Tennessee’s most intimidating caterpillar, despite being completely harmless to humans.
Key Identification Features:
- Massive size—up to 6 inches long and thick as a hot dog
- Blue-green body with large orange and black horns behind the head
- Black spines along the back and sides
- Orange head with prominent black-tipped horns
Primary Host Plants: Hickory, walnut, pecan, persimmon, sweet gum, and ash trees
Safety Note: Completely harmless despite fearsome appearance—spines cannot sting or pierce skin
Hickory Horned Devils represent nature’s mastery of intimidation through pure visual impact. Their enormous size and elaborate horn displays create one of the most frightening appearances in the caterpillar world, yet they pose absolutely no threat to humans. Even their defensive buzzing sound, produced when threatened, mimics a rattlesnake’s warning.
These remarkable caterpillars spend most of their lives hidden in tree canopies, becoming visible primarily when they descend to pupate in late summer. Their underground pupation chambers can house pupae for entire seasons, with adults emerging as impressive Royal Walnut Moths the following summer.
Eastern Tent Caterpillar
The Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma americanum) creates some of Tennessee’s most noticeable insect architecture while demonstrating the power of social cooperation.
Key Identification Features:
- Solid white line running down the back (key distinguishing feature)
- Blue and black spots between yellow and blue side stripes
- Hairy body reaching about 2 inches in length
- Social behavior—lives in silk tent communities
Primary Host Plants: Wild cherry, apple, crabapple, and occasionally other fruit trees
Eastern Tent Caterpillars showcase insect engineering through their communal silk tents, which can house 150-400 individuals. These structures provide protection from weather and predators while serving as central hubs for their coordinated feeding expeditions.
Despite concerns about tree damage, Eastern Tent Caterpillars rarely cause long-term harm to healthy trees. Their social lifestyle and tent-building behavior make them fascinating subjects for observation, particularly during their synchronized movement patterns between tent and feeding sites.
Forest Tent Caterpillar
The Forest Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria) differs from its tent-building cousin through its solitary lifestyle and distinctive blue markings.
Key Identification Features:
- White keyhole-shaped or diamond spots along the back (not a solid line)
- Blue side stripes with black and yellow markings
- No tent construction—lives individually on leaves
- Slightly larger than Eastern Tent Caterpillar when mature
Primary Host Plants: Oak, maple, birch, ash, and various hardwood trees
Forest Tent Caterpillars demonstrate successful adaptation to solitary living, unlike their social Eastern Tent relatives. Their broader host plant range allows them to thrive across Tennessee’s diverse forest ecosystems, from mountain hardwood forests to lowland river bottoms.
These caterpillars can experience dramatic population fluctuations, with outbreak years creating noticeable defoliation followed by several quiet years. Their natural population cycles demonstrate the complex predator-prey relationships that maintain ecological balance in Tennessee’s forests.
Yellow Woolly Bear Caterpillar
The Yellow Woolly Bear Caterpillar (Spilosoma virginica) showcases remarkable color variation while maintaining consistent fuzzy charm across its range.
Key Identification Features:
- Dense covering of long and short hairs in various yellow tones
- Color ranges from pale yellow to rusty orange, sometimes nearly white
- Tufted hair arrangement with longer central bristles
- Reaches approximately 2 inches when fully grown
Primary Host Plants: Generalist feeder on cabbage, tobacco, birch, willow, maple, walnut, and various herbaceous plants
Yellow Woolly Bear caterpillars demonstrate nature’s palette possibilities through their remarkable color variations. Individual caterpillars can range from nearly white to deep orange-yellow, with some populations showing consistent regional color preferences.
These adaptable caterpillars succeed in both agricultural and natural settings throughout East Tennessee. Their broad dietary preferences and tolerance for various habitats make them one of the most likely fuzzy caterpillars you’ll encounter during spring and summer months.
Painted Lady Caterpillar
The Painted Lady Caterpillar (Vanessa cardui) represents one of the world’s most widely distributed butterflies, with caterpillars demonstrating remarkable adaptability across continents.
Key Identification Features:
- Greenish-yellow to lavender body coloration
- Yellowish spines covering the body
- Yellow stripe along the sides
- Silk shelter construction on host plants
Primary Host Plants: Thistle species, mallows, hollyhocks, and over 100 other non-woody plant species
Painted Lady caterpillars excel at architectural engineering, constructing silk shelters that protect them while feeding. These temporary structures accumulate frass and provide camouflage while allowing controlled access to fresh foliage.
As part of one of nature’s most extensive migration systems, Painted Lady caterpillars in East Tennessee may be part of a multi-generational journey spanning from Mexico to Canada. Their exceptional host plant diversity contributes to their success as global colonizers, adapting to local plant communities wherever they establish temporary populations.
Red Admiral Caterpillar
The Red Admiral Caterpillar (Vanessa atalanta) creates some of the most sophisticated leaf shelters in the caterpillar world while feeding on Tennessee’s abundant nettle populations.
Key Identification Features:
- Variable coloration from greenish-yellow to dark purplish-gray
- Branching spines covering the body
- Elaborate leaf-folding shelter construction
- Yellow or white stripe patterns along the sides
Primary Host Plants: Primarily stinging nettle, also false nettle and pellitory
Red Admiral caterpillars demonstrate sophisticated behavioral adaptation through their shelter-building abilities. They carefully fold leaves around themselves using silk, creating protected feeding chambers that provide both camouflage and weather protection.
These caterpillars show remarkable timing in their life cycles, often coinciding their development with peak nettle growing seasons. Their specialized relationship with nettle plants makes them valuable indicators of healthy riparian and woodland edge ecosystems throughout East Tennessee.
Mourning Cloak Caterpillar
The Mourning Cloak Caterpillar (Nymphalis antiopa) develops into one of Tennessee’s longest-lived butterflies, with adults capable of surviving nearly a full year.
Key Identification Features:
- Black body with white spots scattered across segments
- Rows of black spines with reddish bases
- Red prolegs providing color contrast
- Social feeding behavior in early stages
Primary Host Plants: Willow, elm, poplar, birch, and hackberry trees
Mourning Cloak caterpillars exhibit fascinating social behavior during their early development, feeding together in coordinated groups before dispersing as they mature. This gregarious feeding can create noticeable defoliation on individual branches while rarely threatening entire trees.
These caterpillars represent an investment in longevity—the adults they become can live up to 11 months, overwintering in tree crevices and emerging on warm late-winter days. This extended adult lifespan makes Mourning Cloaks among the most likely butterflies to be seen during Tennessee’s transitional seasons.
Buckeye Caterpillar
The Buckeye Caterpillar (Junonia coenia) showcases remarkable spine arrangements while demonstrating adaptability to both wild and cultivated plant communities.
Key Identification Features:
- Dark gray to black body with orange and white markings
- Prominent branching spines covering the body
- Orange-red stripes alternating with white or pale bands
- Distinctive head capsule with contrasting markings
Primary Host Plants: Plantain, snapdragon, toadflax, wild petunia, and various members of the plantain family
Buckeye caterpillars thrive in the disturbed habitats that characterize much of Tennessee’s human-modified landscape. Their preference for plantain and other pioneer plants makes them successful colonizers of roadsides, fields, and garden edges.
These adaptable caterpillars can complete multiple generations during Tennessee’s growing season, with later generations often showing increased cold tolerance. Their spines provide effective protection while their host plant choices connect them closely to human-influenced environments throughout East Tennessee.
White-lined Sphinx Caterpillar
The White-lined Sphinx Caterpillar (Hyles lineata) exhibits remarkable color variation while developing into one of Tennessee’s most capable flying moths.
Key Identification Features:
- Highly variable coloration—green with yellow markings or yellow with black stripes
- Prominent black and yellow spots along the body
- Orange or black horn at the rear end
- Orange legs distinguishing it from similar species
Primary Host Plants: Members of the evening primrose family, bedstraw, grape, and various garden plants
White-lined Sphinx caterpillars demonstrate remarkable adaptability through their dramatic color variations. Some individuals develop as bright green caterpillars with yellow markings, while others become yellow with bold black stripes—both forms can occur within the same population.
These powerful caterpillars transform into equally impressive adults capable of long-distance flight and hovering while feeding on flowers. Their moth form resembles a hummingbird in flight, making them popular subjects for wildlife observation throughout Tennessee’s gardens and natural areas.
Safety Guidelines for Caterpillar Encounters
Understanding proper safety protocols enhances your caterpillar observation experiences while protecting both you and these remarkable creatures. Most Tennessee caterpillars pose no threat to humans, but following consistent safety practices ensures positive encounters for everyone involved.
General Safety Principles
- Observe First: Always watch caterpillars from a respectful distance before considering any interaction
- Use Protection: Wear gloves when garden maintenance requires moving caterpillars
- Encourage Natural Movement: Gently guide caterpillars onto leaves or sticks rather than handling directly
- Know the Exceptions: Avoid touching Io moth caterpillars and any unfamiliar fuzzy species
| Risk Level | Species Examples | Recommended Approach |
|---|---|---|
| High Caution | Io Moth, Puss Caterpillar | Observe only—never touch directly |
| Moderate Caution | Woolly Bears, Yellow Woolly Bears | Handle with gloves if necessary |
| Safe to Handle | Monarch, Swallowtails, Giant Leopard Moth | Gentle handling acceptable with clean hands |
Creating Caterpillar-Friendly Gardens
Supporting caterpillar populations benefits Tennessee’s entire ecosystem while providing ongoing opportunities for observation and learning. Strategic plant selection creates habitat corridors that support both caterpillars and the adult butterflies and moths they become.
Essential Native Plants for East Tennessee Caterpillars:
- For Swallowtails: Spicebush, wild cherry, tulip tree, and wild bergamot
- For Monarchs: Common milkweed, swamp milkweed, and butterfly weed
- For Giant Silk Moths: Native oaks, maples, and wild cherry
- For Painted Ladies: Native thistle species and wild bergamot
Understanding Seasonal Patterns
Tennessee’s caterpillar activity follows predictable seasonal rhythms that enhance identification opportunities and conservation planning. Understanding these patterns helps you know when and where to look for specific species.
Spring (March-May): Overwintering species like Mourning Cloak and Question Mark produce early caterpillars, while first-generation swallowtails begin appearing on emerging host plants.
Summer (June-August): Peak caterpillar diversity with multiple generations of many species. Giant silk moth caterpillars reach their most noticeable sizes during this period.
Fall (September-November): Final generations prepare for winter survival strategies, with many species showing increased activity as they search for pupation sites.
Winter (December-February): Most species overwinter as pupae or eggs, though occasional warm days may reveal active Woolly Bear caterpillars.
Conservation and Ecological Importance
Each caterpillar species plays specific roles in Tennessee’s ecological web, contributing to nutrient cycling, plant management, and food web stability. Their presence indicates healthy ecosystem function while their diversity reflects habitat quality.
Many caterpillars serve as specialized herbivores that prevent any single plant species from dominating landscapes. Others act as indicators of environmental change, with population shifts often signaling broader ecological trends.
Supporting caterpillar populations through native plant gardening and reduced pesticide use creates ripple effects that benefit birds, bats, spiders, and countless other species that depend on these crucial ecosystem members.
Conclusion
The 19 caterpillar species profiled here represent just a fraction of East Tennessee’s remarkable larval diversity, yet they encompass the most commonly encountered varieties across the region’s gardens, forests, and fields.
From the iconic Monarch with its toxic beauty to the intimidating but harmless Hickory Horned Devil, each species demonstrates unique adaptations that have allowed them to thrive in Tennessee’s varied landscapes.
As you explore East Tennessee’s natural areas or tend your own garden spaces, remember that every caterpillar encounter offers an opportunity to witness one of nature’s most remarkable transformations in progress.
Whether you’re observing a Luna moth caterpillar that will become a ethereal nocturnal giant or watching a Black Swallowtail that will grace your herb garden as an adult, you’re connecting with life cycles that have persisted for millions of years.
By learning to identify these species accurately and understanding their ecological roles, you become a more informed steward of Tennessee’s natural heritage. The knowledge to distinguish between species that require cautious respect and those that welcome gentle observation enhances both your safety and your appreciation for these remarkable creatures.
The next time you discover a caterpillar in your East Tennessee adventures, take a moment to observe its unique characteristics, consider its amazing transformation journey ahead, and appreciate your role as a witness to one of nature’s most extraordinary processes.
These small encounters with crawling creatures destined for flight represent connections to the deeper rhythms that sustain Tennessee’s living landscapes.
Remember: Every caterpillar you encounter is temporary—soon it will transform into its winged adult form. Learning to identify these species now connects you to the complete life cycles that make Tennessee’s butterfly and moth communities so remarkably diverse.
