Leaves off of trees and plants. I think they really like leaves off of the tomato plant and lettuce and cabbage:)
What Do Black Spiky Caterpillars Eat?
Depends on what type of black spiky caterpillar they are. The ones I see in San Francisco (California) are Red Admiral caterpillars and eat stinging nettles and spreading pellitory; when they're small, they'll roll up nettle leaves to hide inside.
Most caterpillars only eat a few types of plants; if you've caught one, it probably eats the plant you found it on. If you didn't find it on a plant, or it's not interested in the leaves of whatever it was on, try giving it leaves of everything growing near where you found it and see what it eats. Caterpillars will often move off their host plant just before they pupate.
Most caterpillars only eat a few types of plants; if you've caught one, it probably eats the plant you found it on. If you didn't find it on a plant, or it's not interested in the leaves of whatever it was on, try giving it leaves of everything growing near where you found it and see what it eats. Caterpillars will often move off their host plant just before they pupate.
Mint leaves are the best for them to subside on. But they will eat them too. These caterpillars are black and spiky, so their heads look like their rear ends. This "feature" helps them hide. They can be found in santa Barbara California, and any other applicable places.