u/HarmoniousSyllabub

About the size of a chipmunk, but with no stripes and a distinct reddish fluffiness to its tail. It bounded away across the driveway by landing and taking off from all four legs at once, rather than two at a time. We have chipmunks and gray squirrels that live/nest on our (suburban) property, so I assume one of those, and just a juvenile? Thank you! I am relatively new to MN and still learning about the local fauna. (I have seen a couple of red squirrels nearby, but the lack of ear tufts on this lil' one - plus never having seen one in our yard/trees - makes me guess probably not.)

Immediately put a bird netting tent over the plant (which isnot yet in the ground). So excited! This is my first wild caterpillar!

I'm in SE Minnesota, zone 4b. These are growing in a dense thicket underneath a crabapple tree in a narrow space between our house and the neighbors, so almost entirely shaded. Heavy clay, disturbed/untended soil that is otherwise largely taken over by hostas. I've tried to identify it myself, but I am still not certain.

Either way, I am absolutely prepared - expecting! - to pull it all out. I just would like to know what I'm up against.