Caterpillar at Meteor Crater, Arizona
November 29, 2009
Can you help me identify this caterpillar? He has black segments and orange and yellow segments. He’s about half as long as a US bill. He is really furry.
Jennifer
Meteor Crater, AZ (near flagstaff)
Unknown Caterpillar
Hi Jennifer,
Our first impression was that this had to be a Tiger Moth Caterpillar, usually called a Woolly Bear, but we could not locate a match on bugGuide. It might also be an Owlet Moth Caterpillar.
Unknown Caterpillar
Caterpillar ID pretty please
November 9, 2009
To my novice eyes this appears to be an early instar, but I’ve had no luck identifying which caterpillar it will grow up to be. I tried looking through your archives but didn’t see it. I don’t want to waste your time. Could you please help? It was chowing down on a Bur Oak in Austin, TX on Nov. 9, 2009. It is approximately 1 inch long. Thanks for your help! I really love your site and have referred to it often.
WTB Fan
Austin, TX
Juvenal's Duskywing Caterpillar
Dear WTB Fan,
We immediately recognized your unusual caterpillar as a Skipper in the family Hesperiidae, but we were amazed that in about fifteen seconds we identified it as a Juvenal’s Duskywing, Erynnis juvenalis. According to BugGuide, this wide ranging species has caterpillars that feed on the leaves of oaks.
black caterpillar with yellow stripes and red ends (Brazil)
November 6, 2009
Hello!
I spotted this huge caterpillar here in Rio de Janeiro and now I wonder what it is, and if it will turn into some beautiful butterfly one day! Can you help me? Thank you!
Anne
Brazil, Rio de Janeiro
Tetrio Sphinx Caterpillar
Hi Anne,
This gorgeous caterpillar is a Tetrio Sphinx, Pseudosphinx tetrio. It feeds on Plumeria. It is primarily a Caribbean and South American species, but it is also found in Florida and other southern states. You may read more about the Tetrio Sphinx on Bill Oehlke’s excellent website.
Large caterpillars
November 2, 2009
Hello-
I found these (2) massive caterpillars in my morning glories this morning. They were on the shady side, I guess that would be north west. They were about three inches long and about half an inch in diameter. I live in Bryan, Texas off West Villa Maria Rd.
Please tell me that they are not some alien invasion trying to take over Texas starting with my house!
Thank you in advance for your reply,
Nadine Harrison
Pink Spotted Hawkmoth Caterpillar
Hi Nadine,
This is a Pink Spotted Hawkmoth Caterpillar, Agrius cingulata. It is a highly variable caterpillar, but Bill Oehlke’s excellent website has one of similar coloration. Feeding on morning glories was a great hint to assist in the identification.
Pink Spotted Hawkmoth Caterpillar
Caterpillar, unknown species
November 1, 2009
We found this very large beautiful orange and blue caterpillar on the ground (dirt) next a wood pile in deep south Texas on November, 1. Weather is clear and temperature is about 70 degrees. Can you tell us if this becoimes a moth and if so what type? There are very large brown moths in this area this time of the year. We no nothing of their species, etc.
Floyd Woods
Mission, TX
Ficus Sphinx Caterpillar
Hi Floyd,
This is the caterpillar of the Fig Sphinx, Pachylia ficus. We suspect there is a fig tree nearby and that the Fig Sphinx Caterpillar has spent the season feeding on the leaves, unnoticed. It has left the tree to burrow underground where it will pupate. The adult moths are streamlined creatures with olive brown upper wings and striped underwings. You can see images of the adult moth on Bill Oehlke’s wonderful website. We love the photo showing the tiny horn. Sphinx Caterpillars are often called Hornworms, and the Ficus Sphinx has a tiny horn as the family characteristic goes.
Ficus Sphinx Caterpillar
HUGE caterpillar
November 1, 2009
I found this big guy on a sweetgum tree and would love to know what kind he is. He’s very big and beautiful. Thanks
Martha
Lindale, TX
Imperial Moth Caterpillar
Hi Martha,
Your caterpillar is an Imperial Moth. After pupating underground, it will emerge as a lovely large yellow and purple moth.
imperial moth catepillar?
November 1, 2009
this guy fell off a night blooming cereus plant. 11/01/09. i put him in the pot and took a few more photos. when i checked on it 20 minutes later it was gone. buried in the pot maybe? will this be its ground to pupae stage? will it eat the roots if this is indeed where it went?
Cathy Saunders
Longview Tx
Imperial Moth Caterpillar
Hi Cathy,
The only question we are able to answer for certain is to confirm that this is an Imperial Moth Caterpillar. Finding it on the cactus plant is unusual and we would not expect that it was feeding there. It may have buried itself in the pot where it will not eat the roots (guess we answered a second question), but it may also have wandered off or fallen prey to some hungry bird or other predator.
What is this?
October 30, 2009
I found this caterpillar on my bricks in my flowerbed. I am having a hard time identifying it. please help. Found 10/30/2009 in Houston TX
Brandy
SE Texas
Tersa Sphinx Caterpillar
Hi Brandy,
This is a Tersa Sphinx Caterpillar. We get numerous reports of them feeding on Penta.
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