Categories

What is that bug?
I hiked up in San Jacinto mtns (above Palm Springs) and saw this bug. It looks like caterpiller that never completly changed into butterfly… Do you know what it is?
Thanks!
Ziv

Hi Ziv,
You are correct in assuming this moth is still undergoing metamorphosis. When they emerge from the pupa or cocoon, moths and butterflies have small, soft useless wings that need to expand with fluids in the veing and then dry and harden before they are usable for flight. This is a newly emerged moth. Your Silm Moth species did not look familiar, so we wrote to Eric Eaton. Here is his response: “Newly-emerged is right! Reminds me of a pandora moth, which is a type of giant silk moth. Can’t offer any alternatives. Eric “

Related Posts

1. Newly Emerged Buck Moth (November 27, 2005)
2. Domestic Silk Moth (January 23, 2007)
3. Columbia Silk Moth (June 2, 2008)
4. Pandora Moth (August 28, 2008)
5. Pandora Sphinx (June 26, 2007)