Caterpillar Walk at Ivy Creek

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 (do not underestimate ticks!). You’ll learn tips and tricks for looking for caterpillars, and we’ll certainly find some other interesting creatures along the way. Ivy Creek Natural Area, originally protected by The Nature Conservancy, 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.

This hike will be led by caterpillar and moth expert, Courtney McLaughlin. Courtney is 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, she has become a Master Naturalist with the Rivanna Chapter, where she serves on the Diversity Working Group and spends time volunteering with the Rivanna Conservation Alliance. During the summers, she enjoys moth lighting with her local Moth Squad, and helping the Caterpillar Lab out at Mothapalooza in Ohio. Insects have been an interest of hers since childhood, and her favorite part about caterpillars and moths is that there is always so much more to learn.

Questions? Contact Brynna Strand at [email protected].

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher The Nature Conservancy