Subject: What is this?
Geographic location of the bug: Cypress, CA
Date: 12/09/2018
Time: 04:31 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: This is currently on my lime tree and not moving. I thought it was a butterfly but the head looks like a lizard or snake.
How you want your letter signed: Rita
That’s ok! I found it! It’s a skull caterpillar! A Very cool bug indeed.
Rita
I love that you get so many photos of weird bugs that you cannot answer them all.
Dear Rita,
We are not certain where you found the name “Skull Caterpillar” but we do know that Orange Dog is a commonly used name for the caterpillar of the Giant Swallowtail. The markings on the Orange Dog, which feeds on the leaves of orange trees and other members of the citrus family, are thought to mimic bird dropping for protection.
Very interesting, thank you:)
I got the term skull caterpillar from a google search.
Sincerely,
Rita