The spikes on these two caterpillars are a key feature than can help you identify the family to which they both belong.
Which butterfly family below has this characteristic?
- Brushfoot (Nymphalidae)
- Whites, Yellows & Sulphurs (Pieridae)
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These caterpillars are both in the Brush-footed or Nymphalidae family!
The Brushfoots include over 6,000 species and 12 subfamilies (5 of which occur in VT). That amount of diversity brings with it lots of variation in form. While the actual characteristic to identify these caterpillars is esoteric (filiform seta near the base of the scolus on A9 - Wagner), three Nymphalidae subfamilies have spines like the examples here. In Vermont, these are the Heliconiinae (Fritillaries) and Nymphalinae (Anglewings and allies, Ladies, Checkerspots and Crescents).
By contrast, many of you have probably seen the nondescript green caterpillars of the Cabbage White in your garden. Pieridae caterpillars all tend to be relatively unremarkable, resembling moth caterpillars more than other butterfly caterpillars. Fun fact: Many Pieridae caterpillars are cannibals.
Photo credits
Question Mark caterpillar by Lynn Harper (iNaturalist)
Mourning Cloak caterpillar by Tracy Sherbrook (iNaturalist)
Reference
Wagner, D.L., 2010. Caterpillars of eastern North America: a guide to identification and natural history. Princeton University Press.
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