White Oak Is a tree species endemic to the eastern United States, with a staggering population in eastern and central North America. The western slopes of the Appalachian mountains and the Ohio and central Mississippi River valleys have the best environmental conditions for growing white oak. However, the giant trees are on the eastern shore of Delaware and Maryland.

The American elm, also known as white elm and common elm, is next on our list of common trees in the United States. It is the largest species of all native elms, reaching a height of 80 ft and a diameter between 2 and 5 ft. American elms are native to eastern North America.

American basswood is native to eastern North America. The large tree species is a well-known honeybee tree. This bee species  builds beehives in them, producing basswood honey that is pale in color and has a unique taste. It is also a home for butterflies and a food source for small mammals.

Eastern cottonwood is another widely distributed tree in America. It is a large tree that grows along streams, rivers, and lowland areas. It is the oldest and largest hardwood tree in North America, reaching a height of 100 feet and width of 75 feet. The tree species got its name from its seeds, which resemble cotton.

Eastern white pine is a native species of North America. This Maine and Michigan state tree has gray-brown barks, broad ridges, and scaly plates. It can grow between 50 to 80 feet tall.

Shagbark hickory is a member of the walnut family. It grows to 60 - 80 feet and is 25 - 35 feet wide. It is endemic to eastern and central America and some regions of Canada. The tree thrives in sandy or clay soils but prefers fertile, deep, and well-drained soil. It is also drought and flood-tolerant.

Are caterpillars insects? The answer is yes, but they are an incomplete form of certain insects4. Caterpillars are the larval stage of 180,000 insects belonging to the order Lepidoptera, which includes butterflies and moths. Caterpillars develop to become their winged adult form.

Generally, caterpillars have a cylindrical body shape with a segmented structure. Each body segment typically bears a pair of legs. 

They live on every continent except Antarctica. Some countries known for their diverse caterpillar populations include the United States, Brazil, Australia, India, China, and African and European countries.

One interesting fact about caterpillars is that they have two types of legs: true legs and prolegs or false legs.

The true legs are the three pairs of jointed legs located on the Caterpillar's thoracic segments closest to its head. These legs are"true" because the Caterpillar retains them into adulthood when it transforms into a butterfly or moth. They use these legs to crawl and walk.

Additionally, on their abdomen, caterpillars possess several pairs of fleshy, unjointed prolegs adorned with tiny hooks called crochets. A caterpillar may have up to five pairs of prolegs, but the number can vary among species. These prolegs firmly grip surfaces as they move about while feeding or resting.

However, caterpillars shed these prolegs as they approach pupation, developing structures needed for metamorphosis into chrysalides or pupae during their transition to adult butterflies or moths.

Additionally, sometimes larvae from the Hymenoptera order - which includes ants, bees, and wasps - get mistaken for caterpillars. However, there are key differences. For example, sawfly larvae superficially resemble caterpillars but have unique features. They sport prolegs on each abdominal segment, unlike caterpillars. Caterpillars have hooks on their prolegs, a feature not found in sawfly larvae.

Different caterpillar species have evolved to feed on specific host plants1, a fact often reflected in their common names. For example, the Monarch Butterfly Caterpillar feeds exclusively on a milkweed plant5, while the Swallowtail Caterpillar consumes plants from the Apiaceae (carrot) family.

However, few caterpillar species have evolved to be carnivorous or omnivorous. These caterpillars have adaptations that allow them to eat insects or other small animals. Examples of carnivorous caterpillars include the Harvester Caterpillar, which feeds on aphids, a favorite of the ladybug, and the Lacewing Caterpillar, which preys on small insects.

Next on our caterpillar facts is their stinging abilities. Stinging caterpillars, like the Puss Caterpillar, Io Moth Caterpillar, and Flannel Moth Caterpillar, possess specialized structures with venomous spines or irritating substances as a defensive adaptation. Found in various regions of North and South America, these caterpillars deliver painful stings when touched, deterring predators and potential threats.

Contact with the venomous spines can cause localized reactions, such as an intense burning sensation, swelling, and redness.

While the stings can be uncomfortable and lead to allergic reactions in some cases, they are generally not life-threatening for humans and subside over time without medical intervention.

However, it is best to avoid handling or touching caterpillars in the wild, especially if unsure of their identification, and exercise caution when exploring natural habitats where other caterpillars may reside.