Horny Caterpillar?
Location: Ohio
February 10, 2011 8:13 am
This bug was found inside the house, under the bed covers! Friends are laughingly calling it the ”horny caterpillar” … can you enlighten us please?
Signature: photogirl800mm
Hickory Horned Devil
Hi photogirl800mm,
Awesome. This is a Hickory Horned Devil, the larva of the Royal Walnut Moth, and it is the largest Caterpillar in North America. Your letter did not indicate if this was a recent discovery (which we doubt) or if it was found in bed last autumn. We did not get as many submissions of Hickory Horned Devils this past season as we have in years past.
¶ Posted 10 February 2011 § ‡ ° Square Eyed Hornworm
May 29, 2010
Found this amazing and ugly fellow on a Vitex agnus-castus nibbling away. He was up high in the tree and I only saw one. It is May in Wharton, Texas. He is between 3 1/2″ and 4″ long. I haven’t a clue. I wish I was a better photographer. My neighbor took some pictures – if I get them (and they should be better) I will send them on. I looked through all of your hornworms and didn’t see him, but then again, maybe he isn’t a hornworm. Thanks so much for this site. I have used it sooooo many times.
Carolyn
Wharton, Texas
Hickory Horned Devil
Hi Carolyn,
This is extremely early in the year for us to receive a photo of a Hickory Horned Devil, the caterpillar of the Royal Walnut Moth. Typically, we get the first Hickory Horned Devil photos around August. The Hickory Horned Devil is not a Hornworm, but a rather one of the Silkworm Moths.
Hello Daniel! Thank you so much for identifying the Hickory Horned Devil for me. I am so glad that he is a good guy and belongs here – even if he is a little early. I am attaching two photos from my neighbor, Kevin. They are delightful and I hope you enjoy them. Thanks again. Carolyn
Hickory Horned Devil
Hi again Carolyn,
Thanks so much for sending more focused images. Our readership will appreciate the clarity.
HIckory Horned Devil
¶ Posted 29 May 2010 § ‡ ° Damselfly or not?
October 13, 2009
I found this bug at my grandma’s house. At first I thought he was a dragonfly. He’s brown and has multiple wings. My mom thinks he is a damselfly. Can you help us? also, I am sending 2 pictures of a garden spider and Hickory Horned Devil.
Thanks!
Scarlett
McAlpin, Florida
Hickory Horned Devil
Hi Scarlett,
We already wrote back to you to tell you that the damselfly is actually an Antlion. In trying to select letters for posting today, we would much rather post your photo of the Hickory Horned Devil since we did not receive as many nice photos of this spectacular caterpillar as we have in past years.
¶ Posted 14 October 2009 § ‡ ° WHAT IS THIS?
September 1, 2009
PLEASE – TELL ME – ME DOG WANTED TO EAT IT – LOOKED DANGEROUS!
BRANDY
BRICK, NJ 08724
Hickory Horned Devil
Hi BRANDY,
Though it looks quite fierce, the Hickory Horned Devil, the caterpillar of the lovely Royal Walnut Moth, is quite harmless.
¶ Posted 02 September 2009 § ‡ ° 
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