Subject: White insect
Geographic location of the bug: Marietta, GA
Date: 07/30/2018
Time: 07:50 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: Found this in backyard. It has 6 legs, white and fuzzy with green sections on its tail. It resembles a catapilar, but it’s legs are more roach-like and thick. It has small wings that look almost useless.
How you want your letter signed: Brian
Dear Brian,
This is a newly eclosed Luna Moth, meaning it has just emerged from its cocoon, and because its wings have not yet fully expanded and hardened, allowing it to fly, it still maintains the appearance of a caterpillar, somewhat. A mature Luna Moth is arguably the loveliest North American moth.
i found a caterpillar today 8/4/2018.. he isturning orange . will he pupate for me indoors?
When a Luna Moth Caterpillar changes from green to orange in color, it is nearing pupation. If you provide favorable conditions, it should pupate indoors, but we would urge you to try to duplicate outdoor temperatures and conditions so it emerges on schedule and can be permitted to mate and reproduce.