Paddle Caterpillar
I don’t need a reply, because I have figured out this is a Paddle Caterpillar. Just thought I would share a few pics of this cutie. We found him on a rose bush in our yard in Cadyville NY (northeastern NY).
Jody & Griffin Parks
hi Jody,
The first time we received a photo of a Paddle Caterpillar, Acronicta funeralis, we had a difficult time identifying it. Though it is quite distinctive, at the time, there were not many photographs posted online. Thanks for adding to our database.
Two photos of a Leafy Spurge Hawkmoth
Hi, I am from Zehner, Sask. Canada, 3 miles from the North America Leafy Spurge original origin point, and we now have encountered the Leafy Spurge Hawkmoth here even though our province has not released any. I have two t close up pics of this caterpillar, a yellow, and a red variant. You may use these on your page if you like, just credit me please . Thanks,
Dave Fries
Hi Dave,
Thanks for your great images of Leafy Spurge Hawkmoth Caterpillars, Hyles euphorbiae, a European species introduced to help control the Leafy Spurge. We suspect that Bill Oehlke will be interested in this sighting if you are accurate that the moths have not been released in your area, so we are copying him on this response. Fresh off from our lecture at the Getty on Maria Sibylla Merian, we are now curious if she drew this species in her caterpillar books and if she documented the various color morphs of the caterpillar.
Big Caterpillar
We’ve looked all through the Luna moth pictures, and searched around the web, but haven’t found a picture just like the guy in this one. He is 5 inches long and living on a small beautyberry bush http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/callicar.cfm in our central Florida yard. The bush is currently flowering and he seems to prefer eating the flowers, with leaves as a side. So far he has stayed on one bush, so we’ve been able to take several photos. Very interesting critter as he seems to be aware of our movements even when we are 2-3 feet away. He will stop feeding and turn toward us, as if watching. Do you have any idea what it might be?
Karen and Denny
Hi Karen and Denny,
This appears to be a Rustic Sphinx Caterpillar, Manduca rustica. According to the website link you provided, beautybush is in the Vervain family, and according to Bill Oehlke’s excellent website, the Rustic Sphinx Caterpillar feeds on plants in the Vervain family. We really like the classic “Sphinx” pose your caterpillar has assumed. We are copying Bill Oehlke on this response so he may add your sighting to the compresensive data he is amassing on species distribution.
what is this caterpillar
Bugman,
Found about 7 of these cuties on a plant out back , in Beaverton ,OR. Looked through the internet with no luck. thought you would be a great place to look. thank you for you attn:
Helen Ferguson
Hi Helen,
Your caterpillars are Cinnabar Moth Caterpillars, Tyria jacobaeae, a species, that according to BugGuide, was “Introduced from Europe as a control for introduced weedy Ragwort, the host plant for its caterpillars, which is toxic to livestock.” The Cinnabar Moth is now well established in Oregon and Washington.
Spiny caterpillar on azalea bush
I found these caterpillars on my azalea bush this morning. There were probably 15 of them. I have never seen them before. As I was putting them in a container, one fell on my hand and I had a burning sensation on the area. Are these poisonous? I live in St. Petersburg FL. Thanks for your help.
Donna
Hi Donna,
There may be slight pain and irritation from contact with the spines of the Io Moth Caterpillar, Automeris io. The adult moth is a lovely “eyed” Saturniid.
polythemus moth caterpillar?
Hello there! We are such fans of your site. We looked through all of your caterpillar photos and found similar but not (I don’t think) exactly the same. It is happily munching away on our Duranta in South Florida. I only see one caterpillar. Is it a polythemus moth? Thank you so much for your help!! Sincerely,
Laura and Joe Lazzar
Hi Laura and Joe,
We believe this is a Rustic Sphinx Caterpillar, Manduca rustica. Bill Oehlke’s website has photos that support this. We are copying Bill Oehlke on this response so he can add you sighting to his comprehensive data on species distribution. Your identification of the food plant is also helpful for our readership.
What kind of animal is this?
Hi,
I would like to know if you people know what kind of animal this is. Country: Guatemala. Region: Petén. City: Tikal. Size: 6-7 centimers. We touched the animal with a wooden stick and then it made some attack move or something. His tongue came out like some sort of snake. The movie were it can be seen is over here: http://jasperstevens.nl/mexico/beest.mov Thanks in advance,
Jasper Stevens
The Netherlands
hi Jasper,
This is some species of Swallowtail Butterfly Caterpillar, probably in the genus Papilio. The tongue you describe is a scent gland known as an osmetrium. We will try to identify the species of this pretty caterpillar.
Update:
Caterpillar Identifications
Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 8:57 PM
Hello again, Daniel.
a few other IDs and correction.
Yes, this wandering prepupa (compare its faded coloration to this caterpillar still feeding on an avocado leaf: http://www.flickr.com/photos/missingchandra/76362584/ ) will soon metamorphose into one of the 11 or so butterflies in the ” Pyrrhosticta ” group of Papilio swallowtails — P. cleotas ,P. garamas ,P. victorinus , etc.
I hope the above information is helpful.
Best wishes,
Keith Wolfe
aka “EarlyStages”
catarpilar
Hello Daniel,
Thanks for your answer, i found another one in the garden its the same as the first one but different collour, is it the same?? and the moth on the wall is that one of the catarpilar’s it was 5 cm Kind regards
Jeannette
Hi again Jeannette,
Thanks for sending us another photo of another Puss Moth Caterpillar, Cerura vinula. Many typically green caterpillars change colors, often to brown, red, orange, pink or purple just before pupation. We suspect that is about to happen with this individual. We will address you moth query in a separate email.
large caterpillar found in our yard near Charleston SC
Hello,
attached please find a photo of the largest caterpillar my husband and I have ever seen. Any ideas what it is and what we should feed it or where we should put it to feed itself? thanks,
Kate Hammond
Summerville, SC
Hi Kate,
This magnificent specimen is an Imperial Moth Caterpillar, Eacles imperialis. We have numerous images of the stages of metamorphosis of this beautiful moth. The caterpillar looks to be about ready to pupate, judging by its color, though this is a highly variable caterpillar with regards to coloration. It will pupate underground in loose soil. It is not interested in eating at this point. The caterpillars are often discovered searching for a good place to dig into the ground after leaving the trees upon which they have been feeding.
Isabella Tiger Moth eggs, etc
Hello Bugman.
I just found your egg page and I absolutely love it! I thought you might like these photos of Isabella Tiger Moth laying eggs and the resulting larve, otherwise known as Wooly Bear Caterpillar. She laid the eggs on my door jam, and I am rearing them, at least until fall. They overwinter as caterpillars so I won’t try to keep them all winter. They are eating nettles.
Betsy
Hi Betsy,
We hope you will continue to provide us with Isabella Tiger Moth, Pyrrharctia isabella, metamorphosis images as the caterpillars grow and pupate.
catarpilar
Goodmorning,
I found this stuck to my trousers and i dont know what it is or were it comes from,but i like to know what it is, i live in Galway Ireland, kind regards
Jeannette
Hi Jeannette
Your caterpillar is a Puss Moth Caterpillar, Cerura vinula. The UK Moths site indicates that the common name comes from the moths resemblance to a cat. The caterpillar feeds on willow, poplar and aspen. Artist Katherine Plymley has a metamorphosis watercolor reproduced online.
Fuschia Chompers
Hello Bug Pro
Can you tell me what these fellas are? The nearly destroyed the fuschia and sure traumatized my wife when she stuck her finger on one. We live in Lander, Wyoming
Thanks Scott
Hi Scott,
Your photo illustrates two possible color morphs of the Whitelined Sphinx Caterpillar, Hyles lineata. There are several additional color possibilities. The adult moths are a lovely hummingbird type moth that often flies at dawn and dusk. It is sometimes called the Striped Morning Sphinx. Fuschia is one of the preferred host plants, but the caterpillars will also feed on other cultivated plants.
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