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Anise Swallowtail Caterpillars
(11/12/2007) Here's a picture
I took these pictures in my back yard in Pacifica, CA. (since
you ask for a better one than on your site) Thanks for
telling us that they were the black swallowtail. They
were on a Fennel plant but did not cocoon there... Blessings,
Tori Prince
Hi Tori,
Black Swallowtail Caterpillars and Anise Swallowtail Caterpillars
look very similar. Black Swallowtails are found in the Eastern
U.S. and Anise Swallowtails in the West. Your caterpillars
are Anise Swallowtails.
Tetrio Sphinx Caterpillars
(11/07/2007) Any idea what these guys are?
Greetings:
We live on an island in the Souther Caribbean (although many
of our non-native insects have arrived from the US on ornamental
plant imports. We found one of our ornamental trees covered
with these caterpillars this morning -- they were not obvious
as late as yesterday. Do you have any idea of what they are
and what is the bast way to control them? many thanks
Alan Gross
Hi Alan,
These are Tetrio Sphinx Caterpillars, Pseudosphinx tetrio.
It is native to the Central and South American tropics, but
is also found in Florida. The caterpillars feed on plumeria
and other members of the dogbane family. You can hand pick
the caterpillars, but you might also want to just let them
be as they will not seriously harm the plants. The leaves
they eat will be replaced by new leaves.
Tetrio
Sphinx Caterpillar
(11/07/2007) What kind of caterpillar is this?
We live on Cudjoe Key, FL just 23 miles from Key West. We
found 2 of these, both we trying to crawl up the side of our
house. Thanks for your help,
G. Moore
Hi G,
This is a Tetrio Sphinx Caterpillar.
Monkey Slug
(11/05/2007) Just Add to Your Great Submissions
Hi,
I always go to your site when I have a bug I don't know (disturbingly,
it happens a lot not because of lack of knowledge but because
of our multitude of bugs!!). My son and I LOVE your site!!!
We can view all the strange bugs that are cool and gross and
creepy and cute. Anyway, thought you might want to add this
shot of a Hag Moth we found in a bush in our front yard.
I Identified it in part with your website's help-Thanks.
Luckily I did NOT pick it up as I had intended to do because
I just learned they sting and it is not a nice thing especially
in those prone to allergic reactions (me). Anyway-our family
loves your site. Keep up the great work and I am sure
eventually I will find something you haven't already identified
and will send it your way.
K. Ackles
Friendswood Texas
Hi K,
Your photograph is such an interesting angle on the Monkey
Slug, another common name for the stinging Hag Moth Caterpillar.
Imperial Moth Caterpillar
(11/04/2007)
What an awesome, detailed photo you have sent to us. Can you
confirm this as an Imperial Moth caterpillar? From my
reading, it should pupate in the ground or under leaf cover
– I am watching it dig in under leaf litter. Can
I recover the chrysalis when it’s hard and keep it where
I can watch it hatch out? Does it need special conditions
to thrive? Love the site – spend ‘way too many
hours looking at bugs!
Beth R.
Wimberley, TX
Hi Beth,
What an awesome, detailed photo you have sent to us. You are
absolutely correct. This is an Imperial Moth Caterpillar.
Probably the best way to keep the pupa for observation is
to capture the caterpillar and keep it in a 5 gallon aquarium
with several inches of loose, damp earth. The caterpillar
will pupate when it is ready. Do not let the earth get too
dry, but it is more important that it not get too wet. Mist
it about once or twice a week with water. Keep a screen cover
over the aquarium so there is air circulation. Keep the aquarium
where it won't freeze since it is not as well protected as
if the caterpillar had buried itself in the ground. Do not
keep the aquarium indoors as it will be too warm. Good luck.
Smartweed Caterpillar
(11/03/2007) Name this Catapillar
My Dad and I was out looking at the fall leaves and spotted
this catapillar, its very showy can you name it for me. My
Dad and I were in the southwest part of Arkansas, Dequeen.
Thanks for your help.
Thanks Doug
Hi Doug,
Thanks for writing back with your location. We have been obsessed
with properly identifying your distinctive caterpillar. It
is a Smartweed Caterpillar, the larval form of the Smeared
Dagger Moth, Acronicta oblinita. It is a highly variable caterpillar,
but there is a near perfect match posted on BugGuide.
Tetrio Sphinx Caterpillar
(10/30/2007) unknown caterpillar
Here is an interesting caterpillar that was crawling across
a friend's patio on Sanibel Island, FL. Never have seen
one like it. Looks similar in shape to some of the Sphinx
moth caterpillars on your site, but different in color.
Not sure what it feed upon since it was on a concrete slab,
and with all of our exotic species that have escaped into
our environment in FL was curious as to what it was: (Ruler
is in Inches) Thanks for any help!
Barry P. Ruta
Sun City, Florida
Hi Barry,
The Tetrio Sphinx is a mostly tropical species that is occasionally
found in the southern parts of Florida, Mississippi, Texas
and Arizona. The caterpillar feeds on plumeria, a widely cultivated
tropical plant with fragrant flowers. This fully grown caterpillar
was probably looking for a nice place to burrow and form its
pupa. The strong flying moths have been found as far north
as Nebraska and Pennsylvania, according to Bill
Oehlke's wonderful website.
Hi, Daniel!
Thanks so much for helping us to identify this spectacular
caterpillar! And it makes sense - the yard is full of Plumeria
and other members of the Apocynaceae family members! I appreciate
your help. Kind Regards,
Barry
Sycamore Tussock Moth Caterpillar
(10/30/2007) Caterpillar Photos
Hello,
I am an avid insect, bug and caterpillar photographer and
I really enjoy your sight. I have a 13 month old son
who also loves to help me with my pictures. He is fascinated
with bugs and is really the reason I began photographing them.
Well, I live in San Antonio Texas and have seen most everything
but this caterpillar is a new one and I really hope that you
can identify it. Unfortunately in our bug exploration,
my son was stung by this critter leaving a nasty mark.
It was swollena dn nasty for a few days but started getting
better until this morning and it's getting angry red again.
I'm afraid it's some spines trying to work their way out.
The doctor said he was fine but I'd like to do some research
myself. Any info you may have regarding this fuzzy little
guy would be greatly appreciated. As you can see, this
one is right next to the door handle of my front door so they
are definitely a presence in and around our home so they have
me a little worried. I never kill them but would love
to know and warnings to assist in my relocation efforts.
Thank you in advance for any info you may have. Respectfully,
DanCee Bowers
San Antonio, Texas
Hi DanCee,
We believe this is a Sycamore Tussock Moth Caterpillar, Halysidota
harrisii. It matches images found on BugGuide,
but there is no mention of it being a stinging caterpillar.
We do not have time right now to research its reputation as
a stinging caterpillar, but perhaps knowing its name will
lead you to the information you desire.
Update: (11/03/2007) Regarding Sycamore Tussock
Moth Caterpillar --- stinging?
Hi Daniel and Lisa,
In the post you have on the Sycamore Tussock Moth caterpillar
from 10/30, Ms. Bowers asks about the caterpillar stinging
because it caused some irritation to her son. I've found
this fairly informative page from Auburn University Entomology
Department that gives some very good general information on
how caterpillars sting and then lists both stinging and non-stinging
caterpillars that can be found in Alabama. Obviously many
of the ones cited can also be found elsewhere. Interestingly,
the Sycamore Tussock is listed as one of the non-stinging
ones. Here's the webpage: http://www.ag.auburn.edu/enpl
/bulletins/caterpillar/caterpillar.htm#the%20sycamore
Best regards,
Stefanie Graves
Paducah, KY
Gulf
Fritillary: Newly Emerged Butterfly and Caterpillar about
to Pupate
(10/26/2007) Gulf Fritillary
I love Passion Vine, though I rarely get to enjoy the flowers.
Instead, I have tons and tons of Gulf Fritillary butterflies,
and encourage their growth by moving the caterpillars around
my garden so they can all get a decent meal. I was thrilled
to find this newly emerged butterfly in between the other
two developing chrysalises, and wanted to share the picture
with you.
Emma
DeLand FL
Hi Emma,
Thanks for sending us your photo of two stages in metamorphosis
of the Gulf Fritillary, a newly emerged butterfly and a caterpillar
about to pupate.
Redwashed Prominent Caterpillar
(10/24/2007) Caterpillar on Cornus
Please help me identify this hitchhiker. I found it
on a Cornus mas cutting I took from a friend's garden.
He is oriented facing downward on the twig. In the first
photo, you can see two ridges coming from either side of his
body and coming together along his back, just above another
similar protuberance that is just above his tail. The
horn above his head has two red-tipped points. He has
a very small, round head that is tucked-in under a hood-like
structure above his head. He appears to have three
different kinds of feet: the front three pairs are
small and pointy. The middle four pairs are fleshy.
The last pair, near his tail, are small and stubby.
I put the Cornus mas cutting with a potted Cornus nuttallii
in case he should need more food, but when I checked on him
the next day, he was nowhere to be seen. Can you help
me identify him, and what he eats? Thanks
Tammy Romero
Hi Tammy,
This is a Redwashed Prominent Caterpillar, Oligocentria semirufescens.
According to BugGuide,
the caterpillar eats a wide variety of leaves, including "Apple,
beech, birch, poplar, oak, maples, roses and willows." Based
on your latter, we can add Cornus to the list.
A Medley of Caterpillars
(10/23/2007) For the love of Caterpillars
Dear Bugman:
Hope you had a great trip with the students. I know you all
are super busy so since I last wrote you, I did some
serious web searching and managed to identify my two
'pillars that I sent in earlier this month (Hickory Tussock
moth caterpillar and Yellow bear caterpillar--I think).
 |
 |
| Hickory
Tussock Moth Caterpillar |
Banded
Tussock Moth Caterpillar |
Since your site is so great and I use it so much, I thought
I would give back a bit. Attached are all the photos I have
taken of caterpillars near our home in Churchville, Virginia.
 |
 |
| Buck
Moth Caterpillar |
Io
Moth Caterpillar |
Hope
you like them! (Higher resolution photos available if you
want). Sincerely,
Lacey Parker
 |
 |
| Monarch
Caterpillar |
Banded
Woollybear Caterpillar |
Wow Lacey,
We really hit the jackpot with your awesome Caterpillar photos.
Whitelined
Sphinx Caterpillar
(10/13/2007) Infestation!
Hi, I live out in the California/Arizona border desert and
recently my backyard has been taken over by a caterpillar
that I haven’t seen around here before. They’ve been feeding
on these creeper weeds that are covering the ground but have
yet to disturb my fig tree or any of my other large trees
growing near by. I'm not 100% positive what the weeds are
but I think some of them are California Burclover and Hare
barely, but the majority the caterpillers are on are the skinny
weed with purple flowers that has sticky seeds. The closest
I could find to look like them were Catalpa Caterpillar but
I have no catalpa trees out here. They range in color from
mostly black with green or orange spots or stripes, mostly
green with some yellow and black spots or stripes, and I’ve
even seen a few black and blue bellied ones. Their sizes range
from an inch to 3.5"-4". Just a large assortment of these
lill' guys. If you could please help me properly identify
these guys I’d really appreciate it. I’m concerned for my
dog, afraid that she might nibble one and I don’t know if
their poisonous or not. Thanks for your time and your help!
T.B.M.
Hi T.B.M.,
This is a Whitelined Sphinx Caterpillar. We'vr gotten numerous
letters in the past two months from the Southwest from people
reporting a huge population explosion of Whitelined Sphinx
Caterpillars.
Hubbard's Small Silkmoth
Caterpillar
(10/13/2007) Odd Caterpillar
Sir,
My son's and I located this odd looking caterpillar. It is
purple and green with horns. It also has silver spikes
on it's back. We were wondering if you would be able
to identify what it is. We have attached a few photo's
as well. Thank you for your time.
Michael
Hi Michael,
We are going to very gently inform you about how crucial it
is for you to provide us with location information when submitting
an identification request. We are certain this is a moth in
the genus Syssphinx, most probably the Hubbard's Small Silkmoth,
Syssphinx hubbardi. It ranges from Arizona to West Texas.
It is also found in extreme east California and south Nevada.
If you live in central Texas, it is probably a closely related
species, Syssphinx heiligbrodti.
Mr. Marlos,
I apologize, we live in Tucson, Arizona. I would also like
to know if they are poisonous or if they sting.
Michael
Hi again Michael,
Thanks for writing back with your location. These caterpillars
neither sting, nor are they poisonous. The frightful appearance
is a protective device.
Imperial Moth Caterpillar
(10/12/2007) Caterpillar???
Any idea what kind of caterpillar this is? I found it
on the front porch of my house in Austin, TX. Thanks!
John
Hi John,
After identifying three Imperial Moth Caterpillars today for
readers from Texas, we thought we should post the best of
the photographs, and that is yours.
Impatiens Hawkmoth Caterpillar
(10/11/2007) White Lined Sphinx Caterpillar...or not?
Hello there!
I was going through some old photos I have and I came
across a photo of a caterpiller i took one day in my backyard.
Then curiousity led me to go through your whole caterpilla
archive but I couldn't find one that looks like this one,
but from looking at your archive, it resembles a white
lined sphinx but they dont have the smaller dots near their
head. So, just wondering, am I right or is
it something else? By the way, love your site. Had fun looking
at exotic bugs! Thanks!
Cheryl (Sydney, Australia)
Hi Cheryl,
We found several websites devoted to Australian caterpillars,
but the Sphingidae
of Australia website helped us identify your Impatiens
Hawk Moth Caterpillar, Theretra oldenlandiae.
Buckeye Metamorphosis
(10/10/2007) Our Caterpillar Turned into a Butterfly Today....or
is it a Moth??
Hello,
I had written a few weeks back (see below), and hadn't heard
back from you...I completely understand why...no worries really
:) But my four year old and I decided to "keep"
the caterpillar. I was going to put him outside the next morning,
but woke up to him in a cocoon! I figured he'd be fine if
we kept him until he emerged. And today it happened! My daughter
noticed the cocoon was empty and his short visit was over. Thought
you might like a before and after shot :)
Brittany Clarke
(09/28/2007) Caterpillar Question
My four year old found this little guy in the grass. We live
in the northwestern part of Virginia & was wondering what
kind of caterpillar this is. After looking through your site,
the closest I can guess is a Mourning Cloak or Brush Footed???
Your help is much appreciated!!!! :)
Brittany Clarke
 
Hi Brittany,
Thank you so much for your patience, both at our lack of response,
and with the wait for your Common Buckeye caterpillar to metamorphose
into the adult Common Buckeye butterfly.
Imperial Moth Caterpillar
(10/09/2007) Big Red Caterpillar
Can you identify this one? Found on Isle of Hope, Georgia.
Matthew A. Bryan
Hi Matthew,
The Imperial Moth Caterpillar is a highbly variable caterpillar
in coloration. We have never seen one this red. Also, the
spined dorsal tubercles on second and third thoracic segment
on your specimen are a little different than we normally see.
A lateral view would have been nice to see on your specimen.
Polyphemus Moth Caterpillar
(10/06/2007) polyphemus caterpillar?
I think from your site that this might be a polyphemus caterpillar,
but I couldn't really tell because the pictures of them weren't
quite sharp enough. So here is my picture. The
kids found it in the back yard on September 9 near a maple
tree, I believe. We live in Portland, Or. Thanks!
Leah Parker
Hi Leah,
You are correct. This is a Polyphemus Moth Caterpillar. Here
is BugGuide's
description of the caterpillar: "Larva: body large, bright
green, with red and silvery spots below setae, and oblique
yellow lines running through spiracles on abdomen; diagonal
streak of black and silver on ninth abdominal segment; head
and true legs brown; base of primary setae red, subdorsal
and lateral setae have silver shading below; end of prolegs
with yellow ring, and tipped in black." Most of the identifying
features cannot be viewed from your camera angle. A lateral
view is best. While the Polyphemus Moth Caterpillar might
be confused with the Luna Moth Caterpillar in the east, there
is nothing similar looking in the western U.S.
Death's
Head Hawkmoth Caterpillar
(10/06/2007) what is it
can you identifi this caterpiller we live in alicante spain
i have 3 of the on a purlple trumpet like plant. REGARDS
LAURENCE & ELAINE
 
Hi Laurence and Elaine,
This is a Death's Head Hawkmoth Caterpillar, Acherontia atropos.
It is a species surrounded by myth and superstition, including
its appearance in the book and movie "Silence of the Lambs".
We located a wonderful website called Sphingidae
of the Western Paleoarctic that has images and information.
Ello Sphinx Caterpillar
(10/06/2007) Grub on my pointsettia
Can you tell me what type of grub this is? He was the
only one on a planted pointsettia plant in my garden in south
Florida. I think I've narrowed it down to a sphynx moth
or hawk moth of some sort, but haven't been able to find a
photo of him in any reference book to more accurately identify
him. Thanks,
Brenda
Hi Brenda,
This is an Ello Sphinx Caterpillar, Erinnyis ello. Poinsettia
is just one of several plants the highly variable caterpillar
feeds upon.
Western Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar
(10/05/2007) what is this?
We found this in a tree next to our house, in cool, rainy
Washington state. What is it???? We have never
seen anything like it. Thanks,
The Dennis family
 
Dear Dennis Family,
This is a Western Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar. You might
have seen the adult butterflies which are showy large black
and yellow striped butterflies.
Another Bedstraw Hawkmoth Caterpillar
(10/03/2007) My two sons and I found this amazing caterpillar
Hello there, how are ya?
My two sons and I found this amazing caterpillar in the City
of Red Deer, Alberta the other week. We are extremely
interested in discovering what is called. Would
you be able to help us out with this? Thanks & God bless!
William, Kyle & Daddy
Dear William, Kyle and Daddy,
This is the second Bedstraw Hawkmoth Caterpillar photo we
received this week. The other was from Alaska.
Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar
(10/02/2007) Cool catepillar
Here is picture of a catepillar with eyes and a goatee I found
crawling across my driveway in northeast Texas (Texarkana).
The 'goatee' is actually not hairy but the bottom of its mouth
-- just looks like a goatee in the picture. It looks similar
to a few on your site but not quite like any of them. I've
never seen one before -- any idea what it is?? You can use
the pictures if you want -- I enjoyed looking through your
site.
Michael
Hi Michael,
We have 11 Caterpillar pages on our site and several images
of your species, the Spicebush Swallowtail, Papilio troilus.
Bedstraw
Hawkmoth Caterpillar
(10/02/2007)
I live in Anchorage, AK and found this one rainy day on the
flightline. We tried to search the internet to find out what
it was but had no luck. Can you help?Meghan
Hi Meghan,
The Bedstraw Hawkmoth Caterpillar, or Gallium Sphinx, Hyles
gallii , is one of the few Sphinx Moths found in Alaska. It
ranges through much of Canada and Northern Europe. More information
can be located on Bill
Oehlke's excellent website.
Pandora
Sphinx Caterpillar
(09/30/2007) Unknown caterpillar on grape leaf
Hi-
We found this on one of our grape leaves yesterday (9/29/07)
(Rochester, NY). Do you know what it is? Thanks!
Jeff
Rochester, NY
Hi Jeff,
Adult Pandora Sphinx images were common this year, and this
is the distinctive caterpillar of the equally distinctive
moth.
Saddled Prominent
(09/30/2007) caterpillar2
We found this caterpillar crawling on my husband's shirt.
I placed him on a hibiscus for his photo shoot. We live in
south Louisiana. Thanks.
Marcie Melancon
Hi Marcie,
This is one of the Prominent Moth Caterpillars in the genus
Heterocampa, probably the Saddled Prominent, Heterocampa guttivitta.
Florida Hornworm
(09/30/2007) moth caterpillar?
Hello Bugman,
We found the caterpillars in the attached image on a Euphorbia
sp. (pedalanthous) in our butterfly garden in Hollywood, Florida.
We rummaged through all your caterpillar pages and did
not make a positive I.D. The darker (later instar??)
caterpillar is ~90mm. long, so we think the resulting
moth(???) is large, perhaps a Sphynx species. We will
appreciate any assistance you or your interested readers can
provide. Best regards,
Jana and Stephen
Hi Jana and Stephen,
This one has us stumped and curious. This is a Sphinx Moth
Caterpillar. It looks like a member of the genus Hyles to
us, but a Euphorbia feeding species that looks similar is
not reported from anywhere near Florida. We have contacted
Bill Oehlke and hope he can clear up the mystery. We suspect
he might request permission to post your photo to his site
as well. Bill Oehlke quickly responded: "Daniel, They are
one of the Erinnyis species which can be very variable I suspect
ello,
but they could also be alope.
Thanks for thinking of me. I will ask for a second opinion
and get back to you. Bill Oehlke "
Hickory Horned Devil
(09/24/2007) Large Horned caterpillar
We found this caterpillar on a tree in our yard. We
live close to Houston, TX and have never seen a caterpillar
this large before. Can you identify it and let us know
what it is?
Marlys Dow
Hi Marlys,
The spectacular Hickory Horned Devil will become the equally
spectacular Royal Walnut Moth.
Pandorus Sphinx Caterpillar
(09/24/2007) Caterpillar
Hi!
This caterpillar was found in Port Severn Ontario, we found
it near some sumac trees we were clearing. We had never
seen anything like him and thought he was photo worthy.
It's about 1/2" diameter and 4" long when he was
fully extended. Can you tell us what it was? The
only similar image of a caterpillar I found was from Mexico
and there was no name listed for it. Thanks so much
Courtney
Hi Courtney,
This is a Pandorus Sphinx Caterpillar, Eumorpha pandorus.
It will become a lovely green moth that is of described by
our readership as the camouflage moth.
White
Flannel Moth Caterpillar
(09/23/2007) white flannel moth caterpillar
I believe we found a White Flannel Moth Caterpillar while
hiking the Cumberland Trail near Crossville, TN. One of our
group got a bit of a sting when brushing past this colorful
caterpillar. I would like to confirm the ID if possible.
Thanks
Millette
Hi Millette,
You are absolutely correct. This is a White Flannel Moth Caterpillar,
Norape ovina, and the sting is quite painful.
Stinging Asp
(09/21/2007) caterpillar
My husband and I found this hairy caterpillar crawling along
the handrail of the boardwalk at Grand Bay Wetland Education
Center near Valdosta, Georgia. It was about
1 1⁄4 inches long with a rusty-orange “mane”
on top of its wedge-shaped body, brown hairy sides with a
white strip toward the back of each side. It had a narrow,
flat, tail-like appendage in back. When I turned it
over, it initially formed a ridge along the ventral side,
too, so that it was almost diamond shaped. Then it curled
into the ball you see on the leaf. I don’t know
what it would eat. The trees along that part of the
boardwalk are black gum and pond cypress with button bush,
various sedges, rushes, and fragrant water lilies beneath.
Phyllis Hiers
Hi Phyllis,
The caterpillar of the Southern Flannel Moth, Megalopyge opercularis,
is known as the Puss Caterpillar (referring to its catlike
appearance) or Asp (referring to its very very painful sting).
They feed on a variety of deciduous tree leaves.
Slug Moth Caterpillar
(09/20/2007) Alien bug
alien looking bug my wife and kids found while gathering walnuts
off the ground. cant ID it on your bug site. thank you very
educating site,
Jim.
Hi Jim,
This amazing insect is a Slug Moth Caterpillar, Isa textula.
Handle with care since it has stinging spines.
Monarch
Butterfly Chrysalis
(09/20/2007) Cocoon?
My daughter found this hanging on our fence. The dots are
gold. It’s beautiful. Any clue what’s inside?
Thanks.
D. Fife
Hi D,
This is a Monarch Butterfly Chrysalis. It will turn tranparent
and reveal the orange wings just before the butterfly emerges.
Unknown Hornworm is unusual coloration for Pink Spotted
Hawkmoth Caterpillar
(09/20/2007) help with ID please!
Dear Bugman,
First of all may I just say that your site is lovely. The
pictures and information are top notch, and I really appreciate
your trying to educate people about the fact that they are
not the sole nor the dominant species on this planet. Could
you please tell me what type of caterpillar this is? I saw
one climbing my deck rail last evening, and one crossing a
gravel path this morning. What does this species eat, and
what will it turn into? Also when I picked it up it released
some green liquid onto my finger, what was that? Thank you!!
:)
Kate Julian
Stokesdale, NC
Hi Kate,
This caterpillar has us stumped. It is a Hornworm, the larva
of a Sphinx Moth in the family Spingidae, but we cannot locate
the species on Bill Oehlke's excellent comprehensive site
when we searched species found in North Carolina. We will
try to contact Bill to see if he can identify the species.
The caterpillar probably puked on you. Here is Bill Oehlke's
response: "Hi Daniel, Agrius cingulata comes in several different
forms. The spiracular ovals are usually distinctive, however,
with the spiracles outlined in the center of a larger, dark,
eyeshaped marking, surrounded by white to offwhite. There
is also a faint lateral line and darklines on the head. Please
ask photographer to contact me so I can request permission
to use image. I would also like to know the county. I have
recently received several images of adult moths of this species
from N.C. Bill Oehlke"
Stinging Rose Caterpillar
(09/17/2007) Stinging Rose Caterpillar?
Found this little guy just below an oak tree. It resembles
the Stinging Rose, but the yellow color makes me believe that
it can vary in color...maybe one of a few instars? Thanks,
Jose Covas
Hi There Jose,
The Stinging Rose Caterpillar can vary in color considerably,
from greenish yellow to bright orange red. According to BugGuide,
in addition to rose leaves, the caterpillar also feeds on
the foilage of: "apple, cottonwood, dogwood, hickory, oak,
redbud, sycamore."
Zebra
Swallowtail Caterpillars
(09/17/2007) I didn't see these caterpillars on your site...
Hello,
I've been able to identify many bugs from your site, thanks.
But these two, which were both crawling on the same plant, I
can't find on your site. I was happy to find one
in the bushes and even happier to see two at the same time!
I was wondering if they might belong to the same family.
They look similar to a Black Swallowtail Butterfly caterpillar
you have posted, but the color patterns are different.
Maybe one is a male and the other a female?? I'm located in
northern Florida, next to the south GA border. I just found
them today (9/17/07). Thanks,
Ann
Hi Ann,
You couldn't find your Zebra Swallowtail Caterpillar, Eurytides
marcellus, on our website because your photo is the first
we have received of Zebra Swallowtail Caterpillars. The food
plant is listed as pawpaw, and the leaves on the plant in
your photo look considerably thinner than the leaves in the
photos on BugGuide.
Spotted Tussock Moth Caterpillar
(09/17/2007) What's this caterpillar?
Hello,
We live in Oregon and found this caterpillar in our backyard.
We were wondering if you could tell us what kind it is. Thanks
so much,
Emerson Vordermark
Hi Emerson,
This is a Spotted Tussock Moth Caterpillar, Lophocampa maculata.
According to BugGuide:
"Larvae prefer leaves of poplar and willow, but also feed
on alder, basswood, birch, maple, oak."
Echo
Moth Caterpillar
(09/15/2007
Hope you can help identify this critter. Photo taken in Everglades
National Park. Everybody around here is stumped. Thanks!
Eric
Hi Eric,
This is an Echo Moth Caterpillar, Seirarctia echo. We found
a match on BugGuide,
also from Florida. The adult moth is white with pale tan wing
veins and striped legs. Also according to BugGuide,
there are only sightings from 8 counties in Florida.
Daniel:
Thank you so much! When I said everybody around here is stumped,
I meant just that. My fiance was a temporary park ranger this
past summer so she emailed the photo to some park personnel
and they are some hard people to stump! So thanks again!
Eric
www.gladesphotos.com
Azalea Caterpillars
(09/15/2007) Caterpillar identification needed
Greetings,
Today I discovered a cluster of caterpillars on a Pieris Japonica
at my home here in Raleigh, North Carolina. I'm a school librarian
(aka "media specialist)" and I plan to bring in
a couple of these "specimens" to show the students
at our school, Brassfield Road Elementary. Naturally the display
would be more educational if I could identify them. I didn't
find a match in my small field guide at home, and I was so
impressed with your web site, I thought I'd defer to your
expertise. Thanks so much for your help with the identification,
Vicki Sanders Corporon
Raleigh, NC
 
Hi Vicki,
These are Azalea Caterpillars, Datana major. According to
BugGuide,
in addition to azalea leaves which they prefer, they "have
also been recorded on apple, blueberry, Red Oak, and Bog Rosemary
(Andromeda polifoloa )."
Lobster
Moth Caterpillar
(09/14/2007) What the...
Bugman, can you help
We have recently found a strange larvae in the garden (photo
attached) and have no idea what beetle it might be. It was
about 1 1/2 to 2 inches long. We have a wood close to our
garden and plenty of strange things regularly appear but never
quite this big. Probably quite common but I would be very
interested to know what it is. Thanks for your help Regards
Tim Cooper
ps. home is southern England
Hi Tim,
You might be surprised to find out that your unusual creature
is a caterpillar, a Lobster Moth Caterpillar, Stauropus fagi.
The adult moth is not very remarkable looking, but the caterpillar
resembles a crustacean. It feeds on the leaves of oak trees.
We generally receive images of rust colored Lobster Moth Caterpillars,
and that agrees with images posted online. Perhaps the dark
chocolate brown coloration is due to approaching pupation
as many other caterpillars change color just before metamorphosis.
Giant Swallowtail Caterpillar and Citrus Leaf Miner
(09/12/2007) Interesting Critter
Hi there,
My neighbor referred me to your site when I showed her these
strange little creatures that have taken up residence on my
orange tree. They’ve probably been there since last
year when I first noticed the “snail trail” they
leave on the leaves. I never found the bugs and the local
nursery wasn’t able to identify the bug that might leave
the snail trail. It nearly killed my orange tree last year.
So this year everything was going along swimmingly, my orange
tree has quite a bounty of fruit, but I started seeing the
snail trails again. I’ve been trimming off the affected
leaves as I see them. In hunting out damaged leaves I came
across a whole branch in the very back of the tree that was
covered with these guys. I thought they were bird poop at
first! They really look like it. But on closer inspection
I realized they were way too uniform and then I see it looks
like they even have a face!! Like little dragons. One even
reared its head as I was trying to take the picture. Any ideas?
Thanks so much.
Susan
Hi Susan,
You have two different unrelated caterpillars here. The caterpillar
that resemble bird poop are Giant Swallowtails, lovely large
brown and yellow butterflies whose caterpillars are known
as Orange Dogs. The snail's trail is being made by the Citrus
Leaf Miner, Phyllocnistis citrella, the caterpillar of
a tiny moth that feeds on the tissues between the epideral
layers of the leaves of citrus trees.
Spiny
Oak Slug Caterpillar
(09/10/2007) Bugs
I found this bug on the leaf of my Red Maple tree, had never
before seen this bug can you tell what it is, what it turns
into, is it common in Ontario, Canada. Thank you
Kevin Axt
Hi Kevin,
This is a Spiny Oak Slug Caterpillar in the genus Euclea.
It ranges through much of the Eastern U.S. and Canada.
Slug Caterpillar
(09/08/2007) Obscure green "boat" bug with suction
cup "feet"
LOOOVE the site. Have hatched 2 sets of praying mantis, hatched
a female Polyphemus moth who attracted TWELVE(1) males and,
also hatched a male Cecropia moth earlier in the summer.
Just had a 4" female mantis attract a male and mate;
waiting to see when she'll lay her egg sack...At any rate,
I've been a critter gal since my youth and am familiar with
many of your typical insects. The attached, though,
has me completely perplexed and befuddled. What the
heck is it??? It was so neat - slightly less than an
inch, bright green, shaped somewhat like a boat, and appeared
to have a suction-cup type underside (traveled around on my
daughter's index finger for hours). Sort of an armadillo-type
of insect in that it had a hard shell on the outside with
a softer section underneath..
Kristin
 
Hi Kristin,
This is a Slug Moth Caterpillar in the family
Limacodidae, but we cannot be certain of the genus or
species.
Larch Silkworm
(09/07/2007) can you identify this for me?
hey guys, i was surfing the internet trying to find out what
this thing was. i found it up in a pine tree around 30-40
feet up at work. it is as long as a deck of cards, as one
of the pictures shows. ive never seen one before. i live in
washington state, near puget sound in stanwood. the place
i work is less than a mile from the water. you guys have any
ideas what it is? if you could email me back that would be
awesome. thanks,
Andrew Smith
Hi Andrew,
We were relatively certain this caterpillar is in the genus
Hyalophora, so we tried a websearch. We eventually locted
information on the Larch Silkworm, Hyalophora columbia columbia
on a Caterpillars
on Conifers in the Eastern U.S. website. Hyalophora columbia
is found in both eastern and western U.S. There are several
subspecies, including Columbia Silkmoth and Glover's Silkmoth.
BugGuide
lists the food plants in the west as: "leaves of alder, birch,
Antelope Bitterbrush ( Purshia tridentata ), buckbrush ( Ceanothus
spp.), buffaloberry, cherry, rose, Russian Olive ( Eleagnus
angustifolius ), willow." The photo you sent on foilage looks
like larch to us. We are confident that we have properly identified
your caterpillar, and perhaps the list of food plants in the
west needs to be updated.
Spiny Oak Slug Caterpillar
(09/07/2007) fern green-yellow-red larvae?
Hi Bugman,
My son found this on a rock next to our house in rural southwestern
New Hampshire. The rock has some lichen or moss growing on
it, and our yard is quite mossy. It may have fallen off a
hardwood tree (maple or alder?) that I had recently shaken.
Based on what I could find on your site and others it looks
related to lacewing, sawfly or other wasp larvae - but I couldn't
find anything with the frond like antennae or the round green
leaf like plates along it's body. Thanks for your help!
In addition to oak, the Spiny Oak Slug Caterpillar, Euclea
delphinii feeds "on leaves of apple, basswood, cherry, chestnut,
maple, oak, redbud, sycamore, willow, and other broad-leaved
woody plants" according to BugGuide.
Prominent Moth Caterpillar: Azalea Caterpillar
(09/06/2007) Can you identify this photo for me?
I live in Columbia, South Carolina and found this caterpillar
on an azalea bush this morning. My sister
says it devours all the leaves on azaleas. When I went
back to find it later, it was nowhere to be seen. What is
it, please? Thanks.
Lane Bowden
Hi Lane,
This is a Prominent Moth Caterpillar in the genus Datana.
The posture is quite distinctive. According to BugGuide,
the species is Datana major, the Azalea Caterpillar.
Harris's Three Spot Caterpillar
(09/04/2007) Help!
I failed to mention earlier that we're in Greensboro, NC and
the little guys are over 2 inches long. This caterpillar,
yes, that is a caterpillar, is eating my fringe tree which
is very small and can't take much more! there are five of
these and I don't want to kill them if they are going to turn
into some lovely butterfly or moth.... it's head is to the
right, with the three hairy brown balls hanging off of it....lower
left is its back end.
Melissa
Hi Melissa,
Probably 15 letters will go unanswered because we spent so
much time trying to identify your bizarre caterpillar. We
were relatively sure it was an Owlet Moth in the family Noctuidae,
one of the largest moth families. We scoured BugGuide
until we located Harris's Three Spot, Harrisimemna trisignata.
The hairy balls are actually "old dry head capsules shed by
the earlier instars!" The adults are a very lovely moth, also
pictured on BugGuide.
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