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moth caterpillarscaterpillar ID
Hi, we need a little help identifying this caterpillar. We found it moseying across our driveway this afternoon (we live in mid-Missouri). My daughter wants to keep it to see it transform, but I told her we can’t unless we can find out what it is and what it needs to eat! thanks for any help,
Ramona
Hi Ramona,
You have one of the Prominent Caterpillars, probably from the genus Heterocampa. They have a distinct saddle pattern on the back which your photo illustrates nicely. There is some variability in coloration. I would recommend looking at the site Caterpillars of the Eastern Forests. If I were to try an exact identification, I would say the Oblique Heterocampa (Heterocampa obliqua) . The caterpillar feeds on oak.
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