Wing span: 2.9-3.2 cm.
Flight time: Apparently multiple overlapping broods, with adults flying almost any time between late-May and late-September. Adult populations may reach peak abundance in August.
Status: Breeding resident.
Distinguishing features: The upper surface is orange with a highly sculptured brown border with a row of dark spots in the limbal area of the hindwing. Below the colors are more diffuse with the hindwing covered with gray circular patterns.
Distribution and habitat: Rarely scattered throughout the southeastern three-quarters of the state, where it is most often found in woods along trails, gravel roads, and streams.
Natural History: The harvester is our only carnivorous caterpillar. While generally reported to live on wooly aphid colonies associated with alder, this shrub is rare in Iowa, having a range much more restricted than that for this butterfly. Perhaps wooly aphid colonies on dogwood are more often used, although harvester caterpillars have yet to be observed from such situations. To find larvae, look for large wooly aphid congregations near plant branch tips. The larvae are usually found near the margin of these colonies, and camouflage themselves with aphid detritus and cast skins. Probing such colonies with a twig is usually sufficient to dislodge this camouflage and reveal the larva. As the larval stage only lasts about ten days, they are easily reared by keeping cut branches with aphid colonies in a jar of water. The flight pattern is darting and fast, and netting adults on the wing is very difficult. Capture is made easier by waiting for adults to alight on a leaf (often dogwood), and then rapidly swinging the net up from below.
Record # | Date | Locale | State | Lat/Lon | Collected By | Count |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
338392 | 2023-07-22 | Hawkeye Willdlife Management Area | Iowa | 41.772756 -91.713862 | Mark Madsen | 1 |
343863 | 2023-07-22 | Hawkeye Willdlife Management Area | Iowa | 41.774949 -91.658839 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
345050 | 2023-07-22 | Hawkeye Willdlife Management Area | Iowa | 41.788868 -91.715363 | Mark Brown | 1 |
349802 | 2023-07-22 | Hawkeye Willdlife Management Area | IA | 41.775104 -91.705532 | Chris Edwards | 1 |
336785 | 2023-06-25 | Shimek State Forest, Croton Unit East | Iowa | 40.548235 -91.617908 | Mark Madsen | 2 |
342736 | 2023-06-25 | Shimek State Forest, Croton Unit East | Iowa | 40.546034 -91.615913 | Mark Brown | 1 |
346239 | 2023-06-25 | Shimek State Forest, Croton Unit East | Iowa | 40.546129 -91.616172 | Jay Gilliam | 2 |
350099 | 2023-06-25 | Shimek State Forest, Croton Unit East | IA | 40.545896 -91.616881 | Chris Edwards | 2 |
315866 | 2022-08-10 | Willow Creek/Kiwanis Park | Iowa | 41.647409 -91.570273 | Peter Hansen | 1 |
315937 | 2022-08-10 | Willow Creek/Kiwanis Park | Iowa | 41.646916 -91.569958 | Peter Hansen | 1 |
312956 | 2022-06-18 | Shimek State Forest, Croton Unit East | Iowa | 40.546569 -91.615237 | Mark Madsen | 1 |
331247 | 2022-06-18 | Shimek State Forest, Croton Unit East | Iowa | 40.545896 -91.616881 | Chris Edwards | 1 |
328345 | 2022-06-06 | Outdoor Educational Classroom-Cass Co. | Iowa | 41.22703 -94.7221 | IBSN | 1 |
304591 | 2021-08-07 | Hickory Hill Park | Iowa | 41.670417 -91.502734 | IBSN | 2 |
308338 | 2021-07-19 | Shimek State Forest, Croton Unit East | Iowa | 40.545896 -91.616881 | Chris Edwards | 3 |
304592 | 2021-07-18 | Sunderbruch Park | Iowa | 41.518191 -90.64319 | IBSN | 1 |
307993 | 2021-06-19 | Shimek State Forest, Croton Unit East | Iowa | 40.545896 -91.616881 | Chris Edwards | 1 |
281114 | 2020-08-23 | Shimek State Forest, Croton Unit East | Iowa | 40.545896 -91.616881 | Chris Edwards | 1 |
275223 | 2020-07-28 | Stephens State Forest - Thousand Acre Unit, Lucas County | Iowa | 41.103003 -93.101751 | Jay Gilliam | 2 |
284402 | 2020-07-28 | Mines of Spain State Recreational Area | Iowa | 42.453545 -90.63025 | IBSN | 1 |
276008 | 2020-07-13 | Stephens State Forest - Thousand Acre Unit, Lucas County | Iowa | 41.103003 -93.101751 | Jay Gilliam | 1 |
277889 | 2020-06-21 | Shimek State Forest, Croton Unit East | Iowa | 40.54609014 -91.61590885 | Mark Brown | 1 |
281113 | 2020-06-21 | Shimek State Forest, Croton Unit East | Iowa | 40.545896 -91.616881 | Chris Edwards | 1 |
255987 | 2019-08-03 | Jefferson County Park | Iowa | 40.989906 -91.990814 | IBSN | 1 |
248667 | 2019-06-16 | Shimek State Forest, Croton Unit East | Iowa | 40.545896 -91.616881 | Chris Edwards | 1 |
223992 | 2018-08-29 | Rock Island Botanical State Preserve | Iowa | 42.025805 -91.72638 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
201857 | 2017-09-08 | Polk City | Iowa | 41.771969 -93.720965 | Aaron Brees | 1 |
202909 | 2017-06-24 | Shimek State Forest, Croton Unit East | Iowa | 40.545896 -91.616881 | Chris Edwards | 1 |
180609 | 2016-08-05 | Hitaga Sand Ridge Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.250199 -91.634949 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
168716 | 2016-06-06 | Westphal Timber, Jones | Iowa | 42.1349 -90.95348 | Anita Westphal | 1 |
131408 | 2015-08-31 | Waubonsie State Park | Iowa | 40.676 -95.689 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
131059 | 2015-08-05 | Indian Creek Nature Center | Iowa | 41.97 -91.585555 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
131008 | 2015-08-04 | Hitaga Sand Ridge Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.24944 -91.63056 | Frank Olsen | 2 |
183495 | 2015-06-21 | Shimek State Forest, Croton Unit East | Iowa | 40.545896 -91.616881 | Chris Edwards | 1 |
115358 | 2012-07-22 | Buzzard Ridge Wildlife Area | Iowa | 42.152779 -90.873617 | Chris Edwards | 1 |
144131 | 2012-07-15 | Big Creek State Park | Iowa | 41.807055 -93.745185 | Mark Brown | 1 |
208647 | 2012-04-01 | Stephens State Forest - Thousand Acre Unit, Lucas County | Iowa | 41.103003 -93.101751 | Aaron Brees | 1 |
115360 | 2011-07-17 | Yellow River State Forest | Iowa | 43.170603 -91.240395 | Chris Edwards | 1 |
6913 | 2011-07-10 | Coyote Canyon | Iowa | 41.1213 -93.8614 | Aaron Brees | 1 |
115355 | 2011-07-04 | Shimek State Forest, Croton Unit East | Iowa | 40.545896 -91.616881 | Chris Edwards | 1 |
56635 | 2010-07-02 | Waubonsie State Park | Iowa | 40.676 -95.689 | Doug Veal | 1 |
208648 | 2009-08-06 | Stephens State Forest - Thousand Acre Unit, Lucas County | Iowa | 41.103003 -93.101751 | Aaron Brees | 1 |
3477 | 2008-09-19 | Story County | Iowa | 42.025756 -93.648236 | BAMONA | 1 |
135242 | 2008-09-19 | Iowa State University campus-x | Iowa | 42.025819 -93.648328 | Tom Jantscher | 1 |
138473 | 2008-08-06 | Stephens State Forest - Thousand Acre Unit, Lucas County | Iowa | 41.103003 -93.101751 | Aaron Brees | 1 |
115359 | 2008-07-13 | Yellow River State Forest | Iowa | 43.170603 -91.240395 | Chris Edwards | 1 |
302409 | 2007-08-06 | Little Girls Point, Gogebic County | Michigan | 46.606659 -90.325488 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
115354 | 2007-06-15 | Shimek State Forest, Croton Unit East | Iowa | 40.545896 -91.616881 | Chris Edwards | 1 |
56638 | 2006-07-08 | Wildcat Den State Park | Iowa | 41.4705 -90.88228 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
115356 | 2006-06-24 | Shimek State Forest, Donnellson Unit | Iowa | 40.643603 -91.67741 | Chris Edwards | 1 |
27939 | 2006-06-17 | Golden Eagle Lodge | Minnesota | 48.05537 -90.39812 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
27938 | 2004-07-04 | Leon's Farm, Ohio County | Kentucky | 37.42033 -86.77023 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
115357 | 2002-09-01 | Hawkeye Willdlife Management Area | Iowa | 41.775104 -91.705532 | Chris Edwards | 1 |
56627 | 2002-08-18 | Rock Island Botanical State Preserve | Iowa | 42.02732 -91.72723 | Frank Olsen | 2 |
115353 | 2002-06-21 | Shimek State Forest, Croton Unit East | Iowa | 40.545896 -91.616881 | Chris Edwards | 1 |
56637 | 2001-09-05 | Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Area | Iowa | 42.08398 -91.7651 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
56625 | 2001-08-22 | Polk County | Iowa | 41.6278 -93.50034 | 1 | |
27937 | 2000-07-23 | Shimek State Forest, Croton Unit East | Iowa | 40.54693 -91.61435 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
107176 | 1993-09-04 | Pocahontas County | Iowa | 42.74456 -94.683864 | Ron Harms | 1 |
107177 | 1993-09-04 | Pocahontas County | Iowa | 42.74456 -94.683864 | Ron Harms | 1 |
107175 | 1992-08-15 | Pocahontas County | Iowa | 42.74456 -94.683864 | Ron Harms | 1 |
56612 | 1992-07-18 | Hitaga Sand Ridge Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.25233 -91.63633 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
144428 | 1992-07-18 | Hitaga Sand Ridge Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.24944 -91.63056 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
56616 | 1991-08-10 | J. Harold Ennis County Park | Iowa | 41.898488 -91.483092 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
144383 | 1991-08-10 | J. Harold Ennis County Park | Iowa | 41.898488 -91.483092 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
56634 | 1990-09-26 | Waubonsie State Park | Iowa | 40.676 -95.689 | Babs Padelford | 1 |
107174 | 1990-08-24 | Decatur Wildlife Management Area | Iowa | 40.830629 -93.85059 | John W Fleckenstein | 1 |
56633 | 1990-07-22 | Waubonsie State Park | Iowa | 40.676 -95.689 | Babs Padelford | 1 |
124752 | 1990-06-09 | Sac and Fox Trail City Park | Iowa | 41.946803 -91.611754 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
56615 | 1989-08-26 | Indian Creek Nature Center | Iowa | 41.9664 -91.5806 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
124584 | 1989-08-26 | Sac and Fox Trail City Park | Iowa | 41.946803 -91.611754 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
56614 | 1989-08-01 | Indian Creek Nature Center | Iowa | 41.9664 -91.5806 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
124477 | 1989-08-01 | Sac and Fox Trail City Park | Iowa | 41.946803 -91.611754 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
144282 | 1989-08-01 | Indian Creek Nature Center | Iowa | 41.963207 -91.586629 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
56613 | 1989-07-04 | Indian Creek Nature Center | Iowa | 41.9664 -91.5806 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
124432 | 1989-07-04 | Sac and Fox Trail City Park | Iowa | 41.946803 -91.611754 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
144275 | 1989-07-04 | Indian Creek Nature Center | Iowa | 41.963207 -91.586629 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
56631 | 1988-07-11 | Waubonsie State Park | Iowa | 40.676 -95.689 | Babs Padelford | 1 |
56636 | 1988-07-11 | Waubonsie State Park | Iowa | 40.676 -95.689 | Opler | 1 |
56632 | 1987-07-26 | Waubonsie State Park | Iowa | 40.676 -95.689 | Babs Padelford | 1 |
56639 | 1987-06-27 | Wildcat Den State Park | Iowa | 41.4705 -90.88228 | Jeff Nekola | 1 |
56611 | 1987-06-16 | Lansing | Iowa | 43.358405 -91.21523 | Jeff Nekola | 1 |
56626 | 1985-08-25 | Pottawattamie County | Iowa | 41.39115 -95.47778 | J. Jordison | 1 |
56617 | 1984-05-21 | Madison County | Iowa | 41.29224 -93.98785 | IBSN | 1 |
56630 | 1982-08-12 | Wapsipinicon State Park | Iowa | 42.09038 -91.2861 | Doug Nauman | 1 |
56618 | 1982-08-01 | Madison County | Iowa | 41.29224 -93.98785 | IBSN | 1 |
56619 | 1961-08-19 | Polk County | Iowa | 41.6278 -93.50034 | Ron Royer | 1 |
56641 | 1961-08-01 | Winneshiek County | Iowa | 43.23626 -91.90993 | Ehrlich | 1 |
56622 | 1960-08-21 | Polk County | Iowa | 41.6278 -93.50034 | Ron Royer | 1 |
56624 | 1960-08-20 | Polk County | Iowa | 41.6278 -93.50034 | Ron Royer | 2 |
56620 | 1960-08-19 | Polk County | Iowa | 41.6278 -93.50034 | Ron Royer | 1 |
56621 | 1960-08-19 | Polk County | Iowa | 41.6278 -93.50034 | Ron Royer | 1 |
56623 | 1960-08-01 | Polk County | Iowa | 41.6278 -93.50034 | Ron Royer | 1 |
3466 | 1950-08-01 | Allamakee County | Iowa | 43.243076 -91.443466 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3467 | 1950-08-01 | Decatur County | Iowa | 40.814648 -93.824821 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3468 | 1950-08-01 | Sidney | Iowa | 40.74004 -95.645798 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3469 | 1950-08-01 | Jones County | Iowa | 42.151672 -91.1353 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3470 | 1950-08-01 | Linn County | Iowa | 42.027289 -91.67275 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3471 | 1950-08-01 | Madison County | Iowa | 41.292236 -93.987846 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3472 | 1950-08-01 | Muscatine County | Iowa | 41.51569 -91.1353 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3473 | 1950-08-01 | Pocahontas County | Iowa | 42.691803 -94.645035 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3474 | 1950-08-01 | Polk County | Iowa | 41.627842 -93.500343 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3475 | 1950-08-01 | Pottawattamie County | Iowa | 41.391151 -95.477783 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3476 | 1950-08-01 | Scott County | Iowa | 41.63932 -90.639374 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3478 | 1950-08-01 | Winneshiek County | Iowa | 43.236259 -91.909927 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
56640 | 1950-08-01 | Winneshiek County | Iowa | 43.23626 -91.90993 | Bert Porter | 1 |
56642 | 1950-08-01 | Winneshiek County | Iowa | 43.23626 -91.90993 | Lindsey | 1 |
56629 | 1943-08-05 | Davenport | Iowa | 41.57532 -90.54219 | L S Phillips | 1 |