WHAT is this caterpillar?
Location: Alamos Sonora MX
August 5, 2011 1:09 pm
Suddenly there are many of theses large (2 inch av.) caterpillars under a large old Mesquite tree. I’m not sure if theyre falling from the tree, havent witnessed it, but, before they appeared and to this day also, there is much small green organic chunks, soft but size of dry pea, also falling from the tree and covering the ground. I’m told the chunks are casings from same.
Personally I would lose this tree if it were me if this came to pass every year. it’s too much to bear right smack in the patio outside my door.
Signature: Pepe
Pre-Pupal Syssphinx Caterpillar
Hi Pepe,
This is the caterpillar of one of the Silkmoths in the genus Syssphinx, but there are least 19 species and subspecies in Mexico according to the World’s Largest Saturniidae website, and many have remarkably similar looking Caterpillars, so we are reluctant to attempt to identify the species. We have contacted Bill Oehlke to see if he is able to provide more specific information. Here is a link to BugGuide to what might be your caterpillar, Syssphinx hubbardi, Hubbard’s Small Silkmoth. It should also be noted that the green organic chunks you mentioned are caterpillar droppings, and they are an excellent indication that Caterpillars are feeding on the leaves. Also the coloration of your Caterpillar indicates that it is pre-pupal, and it is most likely seeking a location to bury itself to metamorphose into the pupa.
I would say your absolutely right. That’s the guy. Maybe I’ll shovel em up and stick them on some dirt somewhere’s. ( The amount of droppings is astounding last 4/5 days)!
Thanks mucho.
¶ Posted 05 August 2011 § ‡ ° Caterpillars
Location: Clarks Summit,Pennsylvania
August 3, 2011 11:00 am
one of my friends found this at their house.I think it’s a luna moth caterpillar,but they are green not red.
Signature: Joey M
Pre-Pupal Luna Moth Caterpillar
Hi Joey,
You are correct that this is a Luna Moth Caterpillar. Many caterpillars change color, often darkening, just prior to pupation. This is a pre-pupal Luna Moth Caterpillar.
¶ Posted 04 August 2011 § ‡ ° Eggs? Galls? Magic space bubbles? A mystery!
Location: Toledo, OH
August 1, 2011 6:33 pm
Hey there! Oakworm (or so I think I remember) season is just starting around here, and most of the small oak trees at the park are ALREADY defoliated! Oy, it’ll be a bad year. Anyhow, I am curious if these are eggs coating the underside of the leaf or something else. It was very pretty, in a creepy sort of way.
Signature: Katy
Oakworms and Eggs
Hi Katy,
These Oakworms are the caterpillars of moths in the genus Anisota (see BugGuide). When they are really plentiful, Oakworms can defoliate trees. It is our theory that the eggs, yes they are eggs, in the photos are also Oakworm eggs, but alas, when they hatch, they will not have anything to eat. Thanks for sending us your great photographs.
Oakworms and Eggs
¶ Posted 03 August 2011 § Eggs ‡ ° Panama Caterpillar ID
Location: Panama – Comarca Ngabe-Bugle area
August 2, 2011 9:50 pm
Hi. Was visitng niece in Panama recently and found this caterpillar in her house (thatched hut). She discovered it when she inadvertently brushed it with her hand and ended up with several hairy pines left behind. Beautiful caterpillar but is it poisonous?
Signature: Nancy
Automeris metzli Caterpillar
Hi Nancy,
We recognized your caterpillar as one of the stinging larvae in the genus Automeris, a group that includes the North American Io Moth, and we discovered on the private website, the World’s Largest Saturniidae Site, that is is Automeris metzli. We then found a matching photo on this unusual website. We advise folks to turn down the volume before clicking the link. The Bug Paradise gallery has images of the adult and caterpillar. Caterpillars in this genus have stinging spines and they should be handled with caution.
¶ Posted 03 August 2011 § ‡ ° caterpillar
Location: NW Montana, USA, daytime sighting
August 1, 2011 5:16 pm
Hi there! Love your website, and browse it often. I take tons of photos, and love when they include insects of all kinds. Found this caterpillar…who unfortunately would NOT sit still…and as always, set about trying to identify it! Not having much luck, so hoped you could give me a hand! Many thanks!
Signature: veggietoo
Elegant Sheep Moth Caterpillar
Dear veggietoo,
This is the caterpillar of one of the Buck Moths in the genus Hemileuca, and in our opinion, it is the caterpillar of the Elegant Sheep Moth, Hemileuca eglanterina, which you may verify by comparing your individual to this image on BugGuide. The adult is a highly variable diurnal moth, and you may view a photo of a mating pair from our archives. According to BugGuide, it is: “Widely distributed in western North America: Rocky Mountains west to Pacific, from Southern California to southern Canada. In California found west of the crest of the Sierras, absent from San Joaquin Valley except for Sacramento Delta, found in southern California only in the mountains.”
¶ Posted 02 August 2011 § ‡ ° caterpillars
Location: Macedonia Ohio
August 1, 2011 6:11 pm
Hi! Found your website and figured you might be able to help! We found what we think is a caterpillar, but I’m not sure. It was a very bright green color, almost neon and had a head that came out of its body, that almost looked like a beetles head! Also reminded me of a gummy worm cause of the consistency. We didn’t bother him much, just took him out of the driveway and put him on a tree. We would really like to know more about this pretty little thing! Ill try to attach a picture of him! Thank you very much!
Signature: Amanda
Polyphemus Moth Caterpillar
Hi Amanda,
We really love the way your Polyphemus Moth Caterpillar appears to be smiling for the camera.
Thank you so much!! And yes.. we joked about when he seen me there, he kinda lifted his head up to say hello! He’s awesome!
3
¶ Posted 02 August 2011 § ‡ ° Crazy Caterpillar
Location: Plant City, FL
August 1, 2011 8:49 am
Dear Bugman,
My cousin and I were out touring Dinosaur World when we saw this massive and ornately decorated caterpillar. We thought it was so exotic looking and were wondering what it was called and what kind of butterfly it will eventually turn into?
Signature: Trini & Amii
Hickory Horned Devil
Dear Trini and Amii,
This is a Hickory Horned Devil, and it will metamorphose into a Royal Walnut Moth.
2
Could u help me with this bug please?
Location: Bradstown ky
July 29, 2011 11:49 am
My friend found this caterpillar by the creek in our back yard. The closets thing i can find in your section is the Hickory Horned Devil? I am going to try to keep it and watch it transform but need to know what it is and how to take care of it.
Signature: Sue
Pre-Pupal Hickory Horned Devil
Hi Sue,
You are correct. This is a Hickory Horned Devil, and it is pre-pupal, meaning it is about to pupate. Hickory Horned Devils pupate underground. For some reason, this individual did not bury itself. You can put it in a container with loose earth and lightly bury it. You will need to keep it from drying out, but the earth should not get soggy. An adult moth should emerge next June or July. You should keep it in a sheltered place over the winter that does not get too warm, like an unheated porch or garage.
2
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