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Caterpillars

The following is a collection of a few of the caterpillars that I've photographed over the past few years. If you're interested in seeing my most recent photos, writing or other work, please visit my nature blog, Burning Silo.
PLEASE NOTE: I do try to answer occasional questions on my insect photo galleries, but please understand that, in summer especially, I receive dozens of questions posted on my galleries asking me to identify caterpillars, wasps, butterflies, spiders, moths, etc... There is only one of me and I'm busy photographing insects and working on identifications for my own sightings each day. Also, I just moved into an old house that is in need of major restoration, so have little time to spend online trying to figure out IDs for other people's sightings. What I suggest is that you work on your own IDs, using my photos and also visiting websites such as BugGuide.net. By the way, in most cases, it's pretty much impossible to identify any insect or spider from a written description. Even with photos, it's very often impossible.




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5th instar of a Black Swallowtail -- Papilio polyxenes
5th instar of a Black Swallowtail -- Papilio polyxenes		 Papilio polyxenes (molting) - Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes (molting) - Black Swallowtail		 Papilio polyxenes - Black Swallowtail exposing osmeterium
Papilio polyxenes - Black Swallowtail exposing osmeterium		 3rd instar of a Black Swallowtail -- Papilio polyxenes
3rd instar of a Black Swallowtail -- Papilio polyxenes		 4th instar of a Black Swallowtail -- Papilio polyxenes
4th instar of a Black Swallowtail -- Papilio polyxenes
Pearly Wood-nymph
Pearly Wood-nymph		 Eumorpha pandorus -- caterpillar 1
Eumorpha pandorus -- caterpillar 1		 Eumorpha pandorus -- caterpillar 2
Eumorpha pandorus -- caterpillar 2		 sphinx moth caterpillar - 1
sphinx moth caterpillar - 1		 sphinx moth caterpillar - 2
sphinx moth caterpillar - 2
Ctenucha virginica - Virginia Ctenucha caterpillar - molting
Ctenucha virginica - Virginia Ctenucha caterpillar - molting		 Ctenucha virginica - Virginia Ctenucha caterpillar - molting
Ctenucha virginica - Virginia Ctenucha caterpillar - molting		 Ctenucha virginica - Virginia Ctenucha caterpillar
Ctenucha virginica - Virginia Ctenucha caterpillar		 Elm Sawfly - Cimbex americanus
Elm Sawfly - Cimbex americanus		 Elm Sawfly - Cimbex americanus
Elm Sawfly - Cimbex americanus
Elm Sawfly - Cimbex americanus
Elm Sawfly - Cimbex americanus 		Dasychira caterpillar -- at rest (Perhaps D. vagans ??)
Dasychira caterpillar -- at rest (Perhaps D. vagans ??)		 Dasychira caterpillar -- on the move -- (perhaps D. vagans ??)
Dasychira caterpillar -- on the move -- (perhaps D. vagans ??)		 Eastern Tent Caterpillar -- view 1
Eastern Tent Caterpillar -- view 1		 Eastern Tent Caterpillar -- view 2
Eastern Tent Caterpillar -- view 2
Cooperative effort -- Saw fly larvae
Cooperative effort -- Saw fly larvae		 Symmerista canicosta -- caterpillar
Symmerista canicosta -- caterpillar		 Aster caterpillar
Aster caterpillar		 Milkweed tussock caterpillar -- Euchaetes egle - 1
Milkweed tussock caterpillar -- Euchaetes egle - 1		 Milkweed tussock caterpillar -- Euchaetes egle - 2
Milkweed tussock caterpillar -- Euchaetes egle - 2
Leopard moth -- Hypercompe scribonia -- caterpillar -- view 1
Leopard moth -- Hypercompe scribonia -- caterpillar -- view 1		 Leopard moth -- Hypercompe scribonia -- caterpillar -- view 2
Leopard moth -- Hypercompe scribonia -- caterpillar -- view 2		 Hyalophora cecropia caterpillar
Hyalophora cecropia caterpillar		 Hyalophora cecropia caterpillar
Hyalophora cecropia caterpillar		 Hyalophora cecropia caterpillar
Hyalophora cecropia caterpillar
Hyalophora cecropia caterpillar feet
Hyalophora cecropia caterpillar feet		 Hyalophora cecropia caterpillar --head
Hyalophora cecropia caterpillar --head		 Hyalophora cecropia caterpillar -- head
Hyalophora cecropia caterpillar -- head		 Hyalophora cecropia caterpillar -- size
Hyalophora cecropia caterpillar -- size		 cecropia caterpillar with parasitoids
cecropia caterpillar with parasitoids
close view of parasitoids on cecropia caterpillar
close view of parasitoids on cecropia caterpillar		 Hyalophora cecropia caterpillar on Rhamnus frangula
Hyalophora cecropia caterpillar on Rhamnus frangula		 Hyalophora cecropia caterpillar on Rhamnus frangula
Hyalophora cecropia caterpillar on Rhamnus frangula		 Hyalophora cecropia caterpillar on Rhamnus frangula
Hyalophora cecropia caterpillar on Rhamnus frangula		 Luna (Actias luna) caterpillar -- parasitized & found dying in forest
Luna (Actias luna) caterpillar -- parasitized & found dying in forest
Orgyia antiqua - 8308 - Rusty Tussock Moth - cat
Orgyia antiqua - 8308 - Rusty Tussock Moth - cat		 Orgyia antiqua - 8308 - Rusty Tussock Moth
Orgyia antiqua - 8308 - Rusty Tussock Moth		 Orgyia antiqua - 8308 - Rusty Tussock Moth
Orgyia antiqua - 8308 - Rusty Tussock Moth		 Virginian Tiger Moth caterpillar -- Spilosoma virginica
Virginian Tiger Moth caterpillar -- Spilosoma virginica		 Virginian Tiger Moth -- Spilosoma virginica - 1
Virginian Tiger Moth -- Spilosoma virginica - 1
Virginian Tiger Moth -- Spilosoma virginica - 2
Virginian Tiger Moth -- Spilosoma virginica - 2		 Silver-spotted skipper / -- Epargyreus clarus ?
Silver-spotted skipper / -- Epargyreus clarus ?		 Virginian Tiger Moth caterpillar-- Spilosoma virginica
Virginian Tiger Moth caterpillar-- Spilosoma virginica 		Yellow caterpillar 1
Yellow caterpillar 1		 Yellow caterpillar 2
Yellow caterpillar 2
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comment | share
Bev Wigney05-Jul-2018 20:51
If you want to send a photo of the caterpillar to me, you can use this address -- bev(at)magickcanoe.com --- I left the @ out, so put that after "bev" -- didn't want to encourage the spam bots!
Bev Wigney26-Sep-2013 10:49

Hello everyone,
Thanks for leaving comments on my gallery of caterpillar images. I'm sorry that I cannot answer all of your individual questions - i get many on all my insect galleries and just can't keep up. The best way to get an identification for a caterpillar is to post the photo on Bugguide.net. Also, the Mothphotographers Group website has a pretty good gallery of caterpillar photos where you can compare your finds with their photos.
Bev Wigney24-Dec-2012 23:59
Bev - Just leave the caterpillar in its cocoon in a safe place and it will probably emerge as a moth of some species either soon, or in the springtime.
Bev Wigney02-Jun-2012 13:07
Mark - It is difficult to give you a good reply. There are so many species of butterflies and moths and all the larvae that turn into them that it is hard to know just what they might be. My answer has to be that all of the larvae have some value even f it is to be food for some oter creature. For example, there are some bird species that might come long and ea almost every caterpillar on a bush then move on. Nature i almost always self- moderating in one way or another.
Bev Wigney09-Sep-2011 00:06
kerrie -if it has a hoen on the tail, it is probably some species of Sphinx moth.
kerrie 07-Sep-2011 23:50
we just found a caterpillar in our garden it is black with some stripes that are silvery has a brown horn on tail and brownish head. Any ideas what it is?
Bev Wigney04-Sep-2011 05:30
Amy - You do not hvVe to provide water to captive caterpillars. Just provide appropriate leaves for them to eat and tey will do fine. Most times, caterpillars will be found munching on their favourite food plant, so take note f this and provide those leaves until the caterpillar pupates.
Bev Wigney04-Sep-2011 05:27
wayne - in summer, I just use an iPad for the internet and get charged fr data transfer, so I prefer that people not email me phoos of insects to ID. Also, I get pretty swamped with requests for IIDs for all sorts of creatures and don't have time to look at all of them. Try posting unknown insects on BugGuide.com. There are many knowledgeable people there whi can ID just about anything you post in the gallery for unidentified insects.
Amy 03-Sep-2011 21:28
Hi Bev,
Just a quick question. My boys love to find caterpillars--we just found an American Dagger Moth caterpillar today. My question is, do we need to provide water for it, and if so, how do we go about doing that without danger of the caterpillar drowning?
Thanks!
Amy, Mom to Alex & Max
wayne lisburg 03-Sep-2011 16:14
i found a caterpillar that i dont see on your pics. how can i send you the pic so you can see it
Bev Wigney01-Aug-2011 09:58
Hello Lori,

Unfortunately, I have pretty much no knowledge of which caterpillar species might be found in Hawaii. I live in eastern Ontario, Canada, so am familiar more with the species found further north. One thing I can tell you is that most lepidoptera species are very much associated with certain plants. If you are able to find out which olant or tree a caterpillar is feeding uoon, you can narrow down the species. Most government agriculture offices have at least one resource person who is famiiliar with the most common insect species ported by residents, so you may get some help that way. Good luck, bev
Bev Wigney07-Feb-2011 01:16
Unfortunately, I don't know much about the caterpillars of Australia, so can't tell you what kind it might be, or what to feed it. A couple of points though. If you found the caterpillar *on* a plant, there is a good chance that that is the correct food plant for that particular species. Caterpillars are very much creatures associated with specific food plants. Most only eat a particular plant, or the plants belonging to a certain family of plants. The other thing is that, if the caterpillar is now fairly large and you found it wandering around, it may be finished feeding and growing and was now searching for a place to make its cocoon or chrysalis as part of its transformation process. Many caterpillars begin to "wander" and will not continue to eat once it is time to pupate. I hope that is a help to you.
Guest 03-Sep-2010 16:56
Fascinating gallery! Didn't find my guy here but took your advice and located him on BugGuide. I'm looking forward to reading more of your nature blog. Thanks for posting all these great photos! You can see a picture of my White-lined Sphinx Moth caterpillar here:http://www.pbase.com/image/128081560 They are everywhere right now.
Guest 10-Jul-2010 18:54
Absolutely LOVE your website! I did not find the guy I was looking for but your photos are so beautiful! Keep up the good work! Terri Ybarbo, Southeast Texas
Bev Wigney10-Jul-2010 18:01
Hi Makenna,
A lot of people report bad skin rash reactions from contact with American Dagger moth caterpillars. If you go to this link on another photographer's gallery here on Pbase, you'll see a bunch of comments that people have left below.
http://www.pbase.com/image/21740223
Many report bad rashes. My recommendation regarding caterpillars is to not handle them for your own protection and theirs as well. Most are fairly fragile and can be easily hurt or damaged if they are dropped, etc... Better to just let them move around on their own. Some of the caterpillars with "hairs" can have those break away and will cause respiratory reactions. I can't tell you which species, but some do. As for keeping them to raise, if you do so and have to be gone overnight, it should be fine so long as you put in some fresh leaves before you go away. I think most are fine for at least a couple of days. Just don't leave the container sitting in the sun or some place too warm.
Makenna 10-Jul-2010 16:01
Um hi I found a yellow caterpillar in my front yard with some black hairs on it. i believe it is called the american dagger moth. is that true? what do they eat? Do the sting,bite,kill? i do not know and i put it in my bug container with some leaves and 2 rocks so it can crawl on. i do not know anything about them can you please tell me?
p.s: give me you idea of what i should do with him please. because i am going to camp in a week and do not know what to do with him! an over night camp for all week called camp flat rock in saint paul indiana indianapolis! do you live here??? BYE AND PLEASE PLEASE REPLY!!! from 10 year old girl.
Bev Wigney08-Jul-2010 16:28
Mark - I actually wouldn't be surprised if a Tussock caterpillar could cause a rash. Many caterpillars that have hairs are urticating - having hairs that will cause skin irritations. Some have hairs that can break away and cause respiratory irritation. There is some information on this webpage. My own modus operandi is to avoid touching all caterpillars that have hairs. In fact, I rarely touch any of them as much for their safety as my own -- most are pretty fragile.
http://medent.usyd.edu.au/fact/caterpillars.htm
and
http://medent.usyd.edu.au/photos/caterpillars%20photos.htm
Mark 07-Jul-2010 21:52
I had a Camping Buddy over the 4th of July in my camp. a very Light colored Tussock of
some variety. He loved my favorite chair after carefully removing him seveeral times I realized he had moved to my knee. wearing pants I did not notice right off until brushing past him with my elbow. I removed him yet again and he moved on. Now I have
a rash on my arm that is very irritated and had blistered at first. I am aware of most poisonous insects and species in my area, this is new. Any Idea?
Guest 04-Jul-2010 00:58
one of my relative's friends found a green caterpillar with a blue antennae (with a yellow tip). It is about 4 inches long and it has very pale green stripes along it's back. I fear it is an alien or something like that trying to invade us. i have no heart to kill it so I guess they will succeed.
tammy 12-Jun-2010 12:55
wow we too have found a caterpillar that is the same as what Amy has found I(I think) only about one inch in length. the head is the rust color! could you please email us what type this is. We live in Port Franks Ontario!
Amy 02-Jun-2010 23:01
My daughter just found a caterpillar mostly speckled black but looks like he has very small like ash spots on him - rust colored legs with a rusty colored line down it's back and big black spikes all over his body - very pokey!
Bev Wigney01-Jun-2010 10:21
Rick - No idea as I can't really picture what they look like. Interesting that they seem to be hanging around near a bird feeder though. And "Guest", I can't really give you any ideas for what your caterpillar might be other than it might be one of the species of caterpillars that are nicknamed "hornworms". They include caterpillars such as the Tomato Hornworm, Tobacco Hornworm, etc..
Rick Moreton 31-May-2010 19:35
Hello, I found a group of caterpilliars that built a nest under my fench feeder.This is a hanger feeder with the socks hanging down,they built it under the feed dome, this dome is plastic. They are yellow with long antena on them. They are about 3cm long, they showed up over night.There are 5 cocoons with babies in in. They also have humps on their backs. Any ideas. Thanks Rick
Guest 31-May-2010 16:43
Found a caterpillar on the bush outside, wondering what type it is; it it green about 4cm and has a small red spike on its bum. Any idea's?
Bev Wigney12-May-2010 10:13
Hi Sarah, I don't know much about pecan trees as they don't grow up here in Ontario, but I looked online and see that there is a type of walnut caterpillar that eats the leaves of pecans as well. It is called Datana integerrima. You'll find some info about it on this web page: http://wiki.bugwood.org/Archive:PPMH/Datana_integerrima
sarah 12-May-2010 03:39
ok sorry maybe you cannot email me but please post any ideas
sarah 12-May-2010 03:37
I need help identifying a caterpillar i foud on a pecan tree. It blends really well with the bark and it seems to only eat the leaves from the pecan tree. Its color is gray with a few darker spots on the back. Please email me if you have any ideas Thank you.
Hailey 12-May-2010 00:42
Me and my sisters found a brown,yellow and orange colered caterpiler.It has long light brown colored hairs.It is probly 1.Anyone know what it is?
Hailey 12-May-2010 00:42
Me and my sisters found a brown,yellow and orange colered caterpiler.It has long light brown colored hairs.It is probly 1.Anyone know what it is?
Corey 09-May-2010 16:16
My son found a small brown caterpillar yesterday, that moves very quickly, and only has three or four sets of orange front legs. It's maybe half an inch long, and it's covered with fine, long, dark, spiky hairs. We live in Kansas, and found this crawling across our living room floor. I can't find it ANYWHERE! Can anyone tell me what this might be?
Linda 09-May-2010 14:52
Thank you for this resource. It answered an important question, "What kind of caterpillars do I have in my garden--good ones or bad?" Now, I know I have work to do to save my plants and trees. They are tent caterpillars. I also was able to identify a monarch caterpillar, which I'm excited about.
Jon Androwski01-May-2010 05:03
Thanks for sharing your wonderful pictures, they truely are spectacular. I would have never guessed they came from a 4 MP camera. Do you edit with photoshop ? keep up the great work. I found a few caterpillars(Ecpantheria scribonia), which I plan to raise into months and then photograph & release). Feel free to check out my Photo's.

Jon Androwski
Heather 13-Apr-2010 18:44
Thank you so much! My 5yr old and I have been searching everywhere to identify this incredible caterpillar he found at school. The Rusty Tossock Moth is strange and wonderful. You've got a tremendous website. Thank you for helping get/keep my son excited about our natural world.
Melissa 09-Apr-2010 03:10
0MG! I have been all over the net to try to find this caterpillar that I snapped some pics of with my phone beside my house. Thank You! It's Limenitis arthemis, White Admiral.
Bev Wigney06-Apr-2010 02:29
If it's the caterpillar of that moth, you can usually feed it the kind of leaves you find it on. If it's the moth, you don't have to feed it. Moths usually just drink some nectar from flowers, but don't eat leaves. They generally only fly for a few days to mate and lay eggs and then they die.
comet 03-Apr-2010 18:08
I have a Leopard moth at home and I don't know what to feed it. Do you have a suggestion?
Bev Wigney21-Feb-2010 22:34
Regarding caterpillars in Hawaii. I don't actually know anything about the species and plants to be found there as I'm from eastern Canada and everything is different in my area. However, one thing I can tell you is that one way to find caterpillars is to watch for signs of damage on the leaves of plants and trees. Often, you will find a caterpillar or other insect that feeds on plants, feeding on a damaged leaf. That's how I find many of the insects that I photograph. Good luck.
Bev Wigney21-Feb-2010 22:32
Chrisna - I don't know much (well, actually, I don't know anything) about the species of caterpillars that might be found in Africa. One of the best places to get info on caterpillars is usually though your local agriculture department offices. Caterpillars are generally regarded as pests, and as such, those involved in agriculture usually know more about them. The other alternative is to try to find an entomologist at a local natural history museum as they might know the species, or be able to direct you to someone who does. Good luck. Bev
Guest 21-Feb-2010 18:09
I live in Hawaii and im trying to find caterpillars. I can't find any and i was just wondering if you could tell me where i could find some. (What tree, plant, flower, etc.)
Bev Wigney10-Feb-2010 16:27
Unfortunately, I'm not at all familiar with the insects found in Hawaii as I'm from eastern Canada. Most moths and butterflies are very much tied to the existence of certain food plants, so their ranges are very much determined by climate, type of plants found in a region, etc... What might be useful in finding an ID for your caterpillar is to think of it in the context of the nearest plants. If it was found eating the leaves of a certain plant, then it is probably a moth or butterfly associated with that plant. Sometimes, looking up information on the plant will reveal the "pest species" of that plant - which are these moths or butterflies. Hope that info is of some help to you.
Guest 09-Feb-2010 15:07
I live in HI and saw a tiny...about .5cm white, thick bristled caterpillar? on a plant on the side of the road. Any ideas of what it could be? I know it's hard to ID without seeing. Just thougth I would ask.
Bev Wigney12-Jan-2010 14:58
Hi Ashlee, It's pretty difficult (nearly impossible) to I.D. a caterpillar without seeing it, especially when it's from a different region than what you're used to. That said, perhaps someone reading these comments will offer a possible I.D. One thing to keep in mind with caterpillars is that they can change from one molt to the next - a good example is the Black Swallowtail caterpillar in the top line of photos on page one of my caterpillars. One thing you could do is to collect various leaves from the area where you found the caterpillar and keep it in a jar or other container with air holes and feed it until it pupates/cocoons. I occasionally do that to see what the caterpillar turns into. There are a couple of examples of caterpillar/moth pairs on the first page of my caterpillar gallery.
ashlee 11-Jan-2010 23:19
today i was in my garden an i found a caterpillar its black with an orange head and orange spicks it also has little black filers on top of its head and it has litle black eyes and im wondering if you could tell me what it eats and what tipe it is.thaku
Susan 29-Nov-2009 21:44
I had a catepillar or centipede that I cannot find a picture of. It has gray hair r with a orangish/brown hairy tufts going down it's back. It will roll up in to a ball when you touch it. Underside of catepillar has many small legs. It seems like it should be a catepillar to me. I did not see a picture of what I saw on this webpage. It was about 1 1/2 inches long and about 3/4 inches wide at the head. Wish I could find out what it is.
Jenny 12-Nov-2009 00:12
I too have found this adorable little "toupee" that Kelly talks of below ~ well, my 2 year old pulled it off of my pants at home after a walk in the woods. Ours is mostly grey with a brown stripe down the middle of it's back that ends like a little fury tail. We live in Denton County in TX. We were on a path near the lake with all sorts of plants and trees. He is adorable and I was sad to have him hitch a ride from his home as I have no idea where exactly it would be which results in not knowing what it eats! I've put it in a bug container and wouldn't mind the little one watching the transormation but only if I can care for it properly. It has to be some sort of moth b/c of it's silky, well-groomed looking hair. Any idea on what it might like to eat?
Amber 08-Nov-2009 16:38
Hi my name is amber and im here to post a comment about the isabella tiger moth.what does it eat??????
irma guerra 07-Nov-2009 14:59
Hi. My name is irma and i live in the lower rio grande valley in south texas. i found a strange catarpillar yesterday. it was huge, black and orange strips with a beautiful baby blue color underneath. it had no fuzzy hair. i failed to take a picture. can you help me identify it.
Lisa Phipps 25-Oct-2009 20:20
Ihave apicture of a caterpillar I would like you tolook at an identifiy, I took the photos in my yard.
Guest 23-Oct-2009 18:43
Hi my name is Lauren and I have a caterpillar that is black/grey with yellow spots in a line on either side and orange feet, head, and spike. I have no idea what this thing is and my mother would really like to know. can you help me?
Guest 21-Oct-2009 18:03
Hello I'm Angie, today I was walking and this caterpillar fell out of a Maple tree beside me. I brought it to my house and am trying to fine out what it is. I hope you can help! It is green with a slashed body pattern, it has tiny dots along its side, it has a tail, but no horns, and no hair! I did not see a picture of it on here, do you have any idea what it could be?
Kelly 19-Oct-2009 12:22
I have found the most adorable caterpillar. It looks like a man's toupee. It's hair is not spiky like most hairy caterpillars. It lays neatly as though it has been combed. It is brown. Does anyone know what it might be? I would love to keep it in my classroom for observation, but need to know what it likes to eat.
john J 10-Oct-2009 16:05
I have an investaion of catapillars eating my red bub bush. these have black white and yellow strips running the length with red head an a red spot 1/4 in from the head. about 1" long. Freind or fo. I picked them off the bush.
Richard 10-Oct-2009 15:46
Today I found a light green and black caterpillar which has yellow spiky hairs and a distinct red spikey hairy tail. It looks very exotic, can anyone please help me to identify it.
Jill Patella 20-Sep-2009 21:44
Hello, I recently found an Isabella Tiger Moth. Quite a cute little creature. My children are enjoying watching him and making sure he has plenty of grass, leaves, sticks etc. to crawl on and eat in his bug house. We are wondering if he will soon make himself a cocoon. Can anyone answer this for us?
Thank you, Jill
Sam 20-Sep-2009 09:53
A big black caterpillar fell out of a gum tree onto my mother in law. We put it in with some moist sand and leaves, it went around and around on the sand then burried itself in the sand. We can see it on the bottom of the jar and it has gone greenish grey and seems to be in some silk. It is hairless and seems to change colour with its environment. We cant see any grubs like it on any sites. Can you help us identify it please.
Chancelund 17-Sep-2009 23:28
I think your unidentified yellow cats are either Spotted Apatelodes or American Daggar Moth. Be careful if it is American Daggar Moth, because they sting and leave a rash.
K 17-Sep-2009 22:22
I have a caterpillar chowing down on some parsley in my garden -- he's been here all week. Thanks so much for letting me find out what it was -- a Black Swallowtail - Papilio polyxenes. Awesome!
brandi 17-Sep-2009 20:12
my daughter and i found a caterpillar on a leaf today. i looked it up and it was named SAWR. do you have any other info on this little guy?? what if anything will he turn in to?? thank you brandi
D.Starns 17-Sep-2009 18:15
Today, while watering my Pentas, a large beige (no fuzz) caterpillar w/two distinct black eyes on top, fell to the ground.
He was about the size of your index finger. (very big) I live in Sugar Land ,Tx.
What was it?
linda kitson 16-Sep-2009 18:25
We have what appears to be Monarch Caterpillars eating our Butterfly Bushes. Is this possible as the articles state they only eat milkweed plants.
Jorgia 16-Sep-2009 01:48
I have a catterpiller at home and it is so cute , but I want to know what it is, is a moth or a butterfly? what does it eat ? it is fuzzy and yellow and it has black hairs that are taller than the yellow ones in some places it is bare ... CAN U HELP ME???
Jorgia 16-Sep-2009 01:48
I have a catterpiller at home and it is so cute , but I want to know what it is, is a moth or a butterfly? what does it eat ? it is fuzzy and yellow and it has black hairs that are taller than the yellow ones in some places it is bare ... CAN U HELP ME???
sarah olivieri 15-Sep-2009 03:07
I found one like the biggest green one on the first page, so I put him in a box w no lid and put a branch in there w some big leaves. It immediately pulled 4-5 leaves together, wrapped itself in them and then spun its' caccoon. I have it @ work on a windowsill. How long does it take for them to "hatch?"
srama 14-Sep-2009 16:31
I have a caterpiller it is yellow and fuzzy with black spikes on either end,can you identify it?
tom 13-Sep-2009 22:19
i have a caterpillar with it looks like brown fur all over and the head looks like a grubs any idea of what it could be i have a pic but dont know how to post it thank you
Barb 11-Sep-2009 15:41
I am trying to identify a caterpillar top part has black stripe on back bottom is a light green in color and it has one spike like antenna on top of head eats any vegetables in garden also pears on trees. Please let me know it is destoring my garden.
Barb 11-Sep-2009 15:41
I am trying to identify a caterpillar top part has black stripe on back bottom is a light green in color and it has one spike like antenna on top of head eats any vegetables in garden also pears on trees. Please let me know it is destoring my garden.
sandy 08-Sep-2009 20:43
please help. im trying to id a 3-4 inch long caterpillar type creature. its black with two large blackand white eyes at the top end of its segmented body
sandy marshall 08-Sep-2009 20:39
i have seen the strangest thing in my garden today. on the soil it is about 3to 3 and a half inches long .not at all furry but blackwith two large eyes at the top of its body . its body seemed segmented. does anyone know what this could be. i have pictures
sandy marshall 08-Sep-2009 20:39
i have seen the strangest thing in my garden today. on the soil it is about 3to 3 and a half inches long .not at all furry but blackwith two large eyes at the top of its body . its body seemed segmented. does anyone know what this could be. i have pictures
sandy marshall 08-Sep-2009 20:39
i have seen the strangest thing in my garden today. on the soil it is about 3to 3 and a half inches long .not at all furry but blackwith two large eyes at the top of its body . its body seemed segmented. does anyone know what this could be. i have pictures
sandy marshall 08-Sep-2009 20:39
i have seen the strangest thing in my garden today. on the soil it is about 3to 3 and a half inches long .not at all furry but blackwith two large eyes at the top of its body . its body seemed segmented. does anyone know what this could be. i have pictures
sandy marshall 08-Sep-2009 20:39
i have seen the strangest thing in my garden today. on the soil it is about 3to 3 and a half inches long .not at all furry but blackwith two large eyes at the top of its body . its body seemed segmented. does anyone know what this could be. i have pictures
Guest 07-Sep-2009 17:03
Hi, I have the same caterpillars as Laura. Mine are about 1 inch long, black on top with yellow bands. The underside is bright yellow. They are all over my dogwoods. Are they a pest species?
tin 06-Sep-2009 14:27
My boyfriend and I were outside one day and saw the weirdest bug we've ever seen. Even his mom said it was the most bizarre thing she has ever seen. Anyway, this catepillar or whatever it is, I found out on your site is a Eumorpha pandorus or whatever. And it has grown two or three times the size in one weekend.... Weird and gross..... Hahaha So I spent so much time trying to find it online and thanks for your site. Now if my son wants to know what some bugs are, this is where I'll go... hahaha
Laura 05-Sep-2009 20:28
I found some tiny caterpillars crawling on dogwoods at my house. They are black and white striped on the top, and their bellies are bright yellow. Could you help me identify it please?
Nancy 05-Sep-2009 14:25
Hi! I'm from Southern New Jersey and yesterday I photographed a caterpillar that I have not been able to Identify. It appears to have yellow and red to black lengtbwise stripes and yellowish hair coming from its body. Since I know next to nothing about caterpillars and all the guide books do not show this one, I am looking for help. Thank you.
Terri 05-Sep-2009 05:03
Hello. I live in Payson, AZ. It is a small town in mountains of northeastern AZ. Today I found the creepiest looking moth only I do not see any on this page that he resembles exactly. He looks a lot like a buck moth caterpillar - pale but vivid green with fuzzy spines that are black. Not sure how he got there but found him on my porch- trex deck with no overhanging trees? Made him a little home in a tupperware container with gravel/dirt, fresh straw, leaves and water. Was pretty active on porch but has just curled up in a ball in container, but moves when roused. Want my boys to see him make and enter cocoon and metamorphosis occur. Obviously, he is poisonous. Any tips on ID or on keeping him? Thanks!
char 04-Sep-2009 06:24
I have a smooth, lime green specimen that is approx 3 inches long. It has a red 'horn' tail, 5-6 'feet' on each side, and 7 thin white vertical/slanted stripes that have a sparkly dot at the end ( lower end, near belly). he is eating a plant that has clusters of dark berries, 5-6 to a cluster. He likes the leaves and the green immature berries. Do you know what he is? I am in California. Thanks.
Guest 03-Sep-2009 23:56
To VICKY, JULIE and GUEST regarding the fuzzy yellow caterpillars with black shoots/whiskers/tufts - it maybe an American Dagger moth which is what my daughter found yesterday and has now made a cocoon. Put "american dagger moth" in a google search and the first site is cirrusimage it has the adult moth picture as well. We live in Warren, OH. I hope this helps!
Guest 03-Sep-2009 20:48
I am in Carver, MA and I just found a fuzzy yellow caterpillar with four black spikes, never seen one before. Unfortunately it isn't alive.
Julie 03-Sep-2009 00:40
I am in Princeton, too, and saw a yellow furry caterpillar w/ black spikes on my patio this afternoon. Funny! Any idea what is?
Julie 02-Sep-2009 21:17
I am in Princeton, too, and saw a yellow furry caterpillar w/ black spikes on my patio this afternoon. Funny! Any idea what is?
Vicky 02-Sep-2009 01:12
Where are you from, reporters of seeing a yellow caterpillar with 4 black shoots on the body and one on the tail end? I'm in Princeton, NJ, and saw one of those this evening, crawling into the pachysandra. Head is black, and it moves very quickly. ID anyone?
Michelle 01-Sep-2009 15:55
Hi, I found a strange caterpillar today. It is fuzzy and pale yellow, has a black stripe down its back. The stripe has red dots on it. it also has 4 white bunches of bristles on its back. it has a red head and black feathery antennae. I didnt see its picture on here.can you please tell me what it is?
Birdie 01-Sep-2009 05:23
I have never seen a pure white hairy catapillar til just the other day, any idea what he/she will turn into? He/she is quite lovely.
Guest 29-Aug-2009 18:43
hi im julia i found a weird looking caterpillar in my backyard its light brown with two large light pink spots on its back and two small red bumps on its head that look like eyes i dont see it in the photo album what is it?
Angela 29-Aug-2009 14:06
Today me and my daughter found an unusual caterpiller in our garden. Nottinghamshire. U.K. Well at least I think it is a caterpiller. It is huge! I have never seen one this big before. It has smooth green skin with purple and white stripes along each side and has a spike on one end. We have it in a container at present but are afraid to touch it as we think it may sting us. Can you tell us a little more about it and what to do with it???? Thanks.
sara 25-Aug-2009 20:11
I found a large (almost 3 inches) green caterpillar with black and yellow slashed stripes and one tiny cobalt blue horn at the top of his head. He has eaten new lilac leaves and when he saw me staring he dropped to the ground. Who is this fellow? I've neevr seen one like him. Thanks Sara Wright
Niko 25-Aug-2009 03:35
another curious 'bout caterpillars...my son also found a yellow hairy like with 4 long black shoots in form of square and 1 on the tail end... what is it and is it harmful... anybody know please.... from Alsip Illinois.... Thank you. My son wants to know if they like the darkness... anxious for a reply
curious bout caterpillar 25-Aug-2009 02:33
My son found a yellow brillowy caterpillar with 4 shoots of long black "hair" towards the front and one centered toward the back. The spacing of the 4 was in the shape of a square. Anyone know what kind it was?
Guest 25-Aug-2009 01:10
your two year old son stepped on a io moth caterpillar. it can be painfull.
Heather 24-Aug-2009 21:48
I live in West Virginia & recently went four-wheeling. I had a neon yellow, black, & wooly looking catapillar get onto my belt waist line of my pants & didn't know it. It got rolled onto my skin above my waist line and below and now I have a terrible looking rash almost like 50 bug bites in a cluster. I need to know if this will stay and maybe something I can do to help clear it up? Please respond if this will hurt me in any way.
Guest 24-Aug-2009 16:24
i have just seen a 2 inch silver and brown caterpillar with a yellow and black back end with a blue stick protruding out of its back . i have never seen 1 before are they rare ??
pInkerton 15-Aug-2009 14:47
Hi live in West Virginia. This morning a yellow caterpillar hurt my 2 year olds foot. It didn't look like the yellow caterpillars I am seeing on the web. It was very bright and its spikes were thicker and rounded on the end instead of pointed. I am wondering what it is and if it will hurt him?
pInkerton 15-Aug-2009 14:47
Hi live in West Virginia. This morning a yellow caterpillar hurt my 2 year olds foot. It didn't look like the yellow caterpillars I am seeing on the web. It was very bright and its spikes were thicker and rounded on the end instead of pointed. I am wondering what it is and if it will hurt him?
Guest 13-Aug-2009 11:50
Well thank goodness for this site and all the gorgeous pictures of caterpillars etc. I had an Elm Sawfly Larvae and it was defying all identification for several hours on several sites. I finally stumbled across your site and I found it which lead me to do more research which told me it's caterpillar-like but not a caterpillar... silly me! who knew! Mystery solved in Uxbridge, Ontario! Thank you
Beth 10-Aug-2009 03:02
I live in South Carolina and today found MANY caterpillars on an Azelea bush. They are about 1 1/2" long, black with yellow checks on it (looks almost like the yellow has been weaved through the black). It has dark red legs and the same color bulbus head. Can you tell me what they are? I also notice a part of the bush dying, but not where I am seeing them. I don't know if they were there first and I just didn't see them.
cathy harkness 08-Aug-2009 02:42
i have fat orange caterpillars with black, sharp spikes all around my passion flowers i love my flowers but they are eating them up. what should i do?them. The spiked are very hard.
Janet Holmes 05-Aug-2009 17:15
I have an itching rash on my neck from a halsidota caterpillar being brushed off my shirt. The actual caterpillar never touched my skin but I immediately felt a prickly sensation as the caterpillar was brushed off the neck of my shirt. The rash has persisted for a week now but the itching has decreased. What would have caused such a reaction? The person who brushed the caterpillar off from me, also touched an area of my back checking to see where the caterpillar had landed and I do not have a reaction from that touching so it was not something on that person's hands that caused the reaction.
Joya 05-Aug-2009 05:22
My sister found a fat, orange, hairless caterpillar with a black and white strip around the neck.......what is it? Help!
T.J. 29-Jul-2009 22:30
My children (4 and 6) found a caterpillar in their NYC playground yesterday and have adopted it as a pet. They adore "sugar" and take it out of its new container home to play with "her" all the time. I never knew caterpillars could sting. It is white, furry, and has brown feather-type "antennae" in the front. I wanted them to follow the cycle to butterfly/moth (it was on a bench so we're not sure what leaves it likes to eat.) Do you know what it is and if it stings? Thank you very much.
Sarah 26-Jul-2009 18:28
Cheryl. I live in TX also. Thanks for the info. Mine is very active aswell.
Cheryl 26-Jul-2009 15:45
Sarah,
Found mine. Puss Caterpillar. Good luck.
cheryl 26-Jul-2009 14:57
Sarah,
I may have a one inch version of your caterpiller. It almost looks like a redish golden retriever color with v shaped ridge down the back that comes to a point like a tail. It had a small head. When I touched it it stung a little but did not leave a mark-so far. Underneath, it has a lighter color. It is very active. (Fort Worth, TX)
Kaity 24-Jul-2009 17:31
Hey i was out im my back yard and found the freakiest caterpillar. It is white with black spiky horns and black spiky tail it has orange hair in a mohawk form on its back and on the lower half of its "tail" and has tiny red dots on its back they look almost like fish scales. Anyone know what it is?

Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Christine 23-Jul-2009 22:26
Today I found a green hairy caterpillar with extremely long,soft hairs, with short black hairs down its back(almost like dots). I cant seem to find anything that looks similiar? anyone with any info? If it helps this found in the LAKE GEORGE region, NY.
Sarah 23-Jul-2009 21:12
Hi! We have adopted a caterpiller. He is about an inch and a half long and fat. He is furry (like a dog, not spikey fur) and his hair crests down the middle of the back in a sort of peak. His hair is sort of a dull yellow, maybe even beige, with no stripes or spots. He moves his body away slightly when you touch him, but does nothing else, except eat! We have bought him his own small house plant and he seems to be enjoying it very much! I have looked at photographs on several websites and cannot find anything that looks like him. They are all too spikey looking and not as fat. My son, who is 6, would like to keep him through to the spring so he can watch him transfrom, but since I cannot find out what kind of caterpillar he is...I'm not sure how to best ensure his survival. Can you help? Thank you.
Kirstie 23-Jul-2009 13:43
I saw a caterpillar while walking my dog in the woods the other day and I was wondering if anyone could help me identify it. It was large, bright green with distinct black horizontal stripes. In each stripe was a row of very bright pink spots. I have looked on several websites but have found no pictures that match. Unfortunately I don't have a picture.
Guest 22-Jul-2009 21:17
I have a white caterpillar in my garden. He looks soft, almost silky like. I am trying to find out what kind it is. I've looked at several pictures and cannot find one that looks like it. Any one who might be able to help, I have a pic please email me. kristilee21@yahoo.com
harley cat 22-Jul-2009 05:57
Harley my cat was playing with this caterpillar that was the size of my little finger it was grayish and in defense it would tuck its head down and lift its tail end up which had markings that would suggest that its tail was the head. any idea what it may have been my local is northern illinoios
harley cat 22-Jul-2009 05:57
Harley my cat was playing with this caterpillar that was the size of my little finger it was grayish and in defense it would tuck its head down and lift its tail end up which had markings that would suggest that its tail was the head. any idea what it may have been my local is northern illinoios
moely 19-Jul-2009 19:14
i have a green, fat caterpillar with black stripes and a red spike on it . it has yellow feet. somebody please tell me what it is!?
christofer 15-Jul-2009 03:43
i have a black spinny caterpillar with one red strip down its back streaching from head to toe it is on the under side of my sunflower leaves there are about twenty of them can anyone tell me what they are
Caroline 03-Jul-2009 11:52
I also have this black and yellow caterpillar on my broccoli but instead of being smooth it's furry it's also leaving a lot of faeces or is this it's off spring? What type of caterpillar are they I am very interested and not worried about the plants as there almost finished anyhow.
Abby 02-Jul-2009 17:52
I have a smooth and yellow and black caterpillar? on my broccoli plants n my garden. It seems to be leaving behind a lot of feces. Will it hurt my plants? If so, how do I get rid of it nicely?
Bev Wigney27-Jun-2009 12:41
Terry - Is it possible that the caterpillar is actually a sawfly larva. Many of them resemble caterpillars, but are not. They have legs only at the front of the body and legless back-ends. There are tons of species of those, many specific to particular trees and even to plants such as poison ivy. Most have a similar behaviour. When disturbed, they lift the back part of their bodies and curve it and make flicking motions that are probably meant to scare away a predator. If it isn't a sawfly larva, then I'd guess it's the larva of a species of moth. You might look around on the net to try to find out which moths use the butternut as their host plant.
Terry 26-Jun-2009 01:58
These photos are great and this site is really interesting. But I have not found a caterpillar that matches the on eating my butternut. The caterpillar is about 1/2 inch long (1 cm) it is a translucent "jelly" like and has two creamy/light green lines along the length.
The butternut (2 1/2 feet high) is losing any or all foliage that attempts to form- seeems to be eaten at the base of the compound leaf... HELP!
Bev Wigney14-Jun-2009 13:25
Diana's caterpillars sound like Eastern Tent Caterpillars to me. The tents are not always seen as the caterpillars tend to start wandering off in all directions once they get to be fairly large. There's a photo of one in my galleries:
http://www.pbase.com/crocodile/image/29748887
They don't bite, but their hair is irritating-- can cause itchiness and if one should be close enough to breathe the broken off hair particles, it can cause respiratory irritation -- which, i've heard, can affect some people quite a bit. Apart from damage to leaves, they will generally disappear again on their own and, in most cases, the plants recover and grow some new leaves. Some years, there will be greater outbreaks than others, and these caterpillars will seem more conspicuous. In my own region (eastern Ontario) some areas seem to have a bumper crop of them this year.
= answer for caterpillar observer == I'm not sure what you're caterpillar would be. I would have to see photos of it. Also, very small caterpillars are often earlier instars and don't look too much like the final instar, so can be very difficult to ID -- the example of the Black Swallowtail caterpillars in the first row of photos of this gallery is a good example of how one species can appear quite different at each molt.
Diana 13-Jun-2009 20:57
We have an epidemic of 2 differant catepillars overnight in our garden,fruit trees and plain old all over everywhere ground,dog house it's crazy.One is velvety hair with a blue stripe running end to end on both sides and a black stripe down it's back with yellow spots in the black stripe. Fuzzy with some long hairs Orange-brownish with a thin white stripe down the center of it's back with orange on either side of the stripe, then patches of black with a blue dot in it and orange/yellow broken in between each patch all this running head to tail. Please help they are everywhere and don't know if they will sting or hurt the animals but they are eating everything in site. Thank you for your help.
caterpillar observer<3 12-Jun-2009 22:15
P.S. --- I called it Jesse, because it is a unisex name, and i am not sure of it's gender either.


~caterpillar observer<3
caterpillar observer<3 12-Jun-2009 22:13
Hey Bev, your collection is quite a sight. today i found a little caterpillar, no bigger than a centimeter. [He] has a yellow head, about 16 or 14 tiny, tiny legs, a gray/black back and underneath is whitish gray. What kind is he???

~caterpillar observer<3
bang le 03-Jun-2009 01:27
i found this black caterpillar n my house and it was really spiky plus it has this orange or red like color as stripes when it moves what you think i should feed it and is it going to turn into a butterfly?
Katiega 16-May-2009 00:47
My mom has found a caterpillar that is black all over and it is really spiny with small dots of red down its back. It has been on my mom's tree in the front yard. Is it poisonous or what? Thanks for your info.
shari 06-May-2009 21:06
i have a large catapillar about 2 inches long as big around as my pinky it has orange hair,and black and yellow hairless bands. it is very jumpy and moves fast can anyone identify this catapillar
Guest 09-Apr-2009 22:05
I live in Los Angeles, and we have had a bunch of large (about 2" long or more..) black fuzzy caterpillars make cocoons on our door jambs. Will they turn in to moths? If so, are they the kind that will eat my sweaters? I am hoping they will be butterflies, but I think that is wishful thinking.
Should I remove the cocoons before they hatch?
Please advise.
jacob 04-Apr-2009 14:37
at school on da ground i saw a tiger swallowtail caterpiller then my friend squished it
and billing of guts came out he only squished it a tiny bit. it was green and it had a spike on its tail
Katie 25-Mar-2009 11:45
Hi i currently work in a daycare in central florida. and we have catepillars galore on our playground which is not unusual for this time of year, but we have noticed a catepillar that has a red head and two spike thing on it one at the head and one at the back end, it also has what looks like 3 egg like things on it's back. along with that catepillar we have what i believe or tree tent catepillars they are blueish, grayish, and have orange those i know we are able to let the kids play with for they are not dangerous, but i am wondering about the red headed ones. Thanks
Bev Wigney23-Mar-2009 14:55
Hi omar,
I can't really guess at what type of caterpillar that would be, but there are all kinds of odd looking ones around. The one you have described sounds possible. Some of the furry species look odd right after they molt, so perhaps that explains how it appeared when you saw it.
regards,
bev
omar rangel 22-Mar-2009 10:45
hello at my house i found a caterpiller but ive never seen any thing like it. it was green kinda normal but it had metal spikes on its back. they look more like fangs this was like 2yr ago and i have never seen it again. i was talikn to my brother the other day and he told me he saw the same thing. ive looked of it online all over the place. i tell people what i saw and they think im cazy so can some one help me? im stating to think im crazy
Alison Perry 22-Nov-2008 13:38
My name is Alison Perry

I found a yellow catapillar with black & white eyes, also, what appears to be a black mouth -- with some white. It looks like a cartoon. I will send a photo as soon as I can get my computer on line. Right now I'm on my parents computer. Please send me your email so I can send you a photo and maybe you can tell me what it is? It does not seem to have hair, but is bald -- it's head is held up and it appears to have a face. Very bizarre. Thanks, Alison email: Alisnperry@aol.com
jilan18-Nov-2008 17:08
the caterpillar in my spanish garden was about 5/6 inches long with a black and white head the markings of a snake on its body and a small horn on its rear end. what is it going to turn into. i do have a photo of it
Bev Wigney08-Oct-2008 10:52
Hi Suzanne,
I use both a Nikon CP4500 and a Nikon CP8800 for most of my macro photography. Thanks for your kind comments about my photos. - bev
Suzanne 07-Oct-2008 13:12
What wonderful photography!! nice to know i'm not the only one to take a million snapshots of things like this!! and who's fascinated w/ pics like the legs, & close ups, if u don't mind me asking, what type of camera do you use? i have a canon, digital. my daughter & i found a caterpillar, not one i knew, so i was trying to ID it, & i found your website! it is the black swallowtail, we are in PA, thx for this site, it is really wonderful! our caterpillar is going into a chrysallis (sorry bout the spelling). would love to share photos or stay in contact sometime, my email is: spicey772005@yahoo.com. i wish i had found your site when i was doing research for a children's article i was writing! thanks again for sharing your talent!!
Nancy 29-Sep-2008 19:26
Thank you for your wonderful website! Nice job photographing!
My kids found a big, thick caterpillar in our yard, The two front legs are point and it has yellow and black spots. Any clue. What ones are dangerous?
Nancy 29-Sep-2008 19:26
Thank you for your wonderful website! Nice job photographing!
My kids found a big, thick caterpillar in our yard, The two front legs are point and it has yellow and black spots. Any clue. What ones are dangerous?
Bonita and Dominic 28-Sep-2008 17:54
Hi there, I am sending this message from Norwich in England, United Kingdom
I have found what I think is a Orgyia detrita caterpillar which I found in a basket bought at a car boot sale. It seems to originate from Florida and I wondered if it is common for them to be in this part of the world? Many thanks.
lynzi roberts 27-Sep-2008 13:22
hi i found a yellow caterpillar with thick tufts of yellow fur and thin ones. a white head and it had a tail like a dog that was a redish pinkish colour just wondered what type it is
Linda 22-Sep-2008 00:39
We really like your Web Site. Gorgeous pictures. My husband and I found a caterpiller with vertical black and white stripes and a yellow underside. One site called it a Sawr caterpillar, however, we cannot find any information on it. Is there a Sawr caterpillar. If so, what type of butterfly does it become? Thank you so much for your help.
Mary 21-Sep-2008 00:15
Thank youfor a great gallery of caterpillars...when, I find something unusual it is marvelous to find the name. I just found a large ~2 1/2" fuzzy yellow with a few black hairs sticking out...it has demolished the leaves on a passion flower vine so, still looking for what this buddy is. But, Thank you for you photos and info.
jake 19-Sep-2008 20:29
hi what do the hyalophor cecppia grow into
Garret 14-Sep-2008 17:10
Hi,
When I was in the desert near Phoenix, I found a yellow and black caterpillar. About 2-3 inches long. It has teeth and no fur.They were on a bush and on the ground. The cows were eating them because they were everywhere.I brought two home to take care of. Does anyone know what kind this is?
Thanks, G
Betty Normore 07-Sep-2008 15:38
Hi, I live in NL Canada and just recently found these caterpillars in my garden; they are furry with a yellow body, black on both ends with white spikes protruding from the ends and a black mark down the middle of the yellow body. Can you identify these for me please????
LAWRENCE CHILKEWITZ 01-Sep-2008 15:50
HELLO HAVE BROWN CATAPILLARS WITH ORANGE SPIKES ON A RARE PLANT. DONT REMEMBER THE NAME BUT IT HAS FLOWERS SHAPED LIKE AN AMOBA. BOUGHT AT HOME DEPOT AND THEY SAY PLANT IS RARE.
PASTOR JOE 33 CATAPILLARS ON ONE PLANT. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

MAYBE THE NAME OF PLANT IS CALAICO????
Bev Wigney26-Aug-2008 00:30
Hi everyone who has asked about caterpillars -- what kind, etc... Combined, there are a few thousand different moth and butterfly larvae, so the chances of me knowing what kind of caterpillar you have seen, especially from a written description, are quite slim. In my galleries, you'll see photos of the most common species in this area of eastern Ontario, so you may find a match among them. Please keep in mind that a larger number of moths and butterflies are only found in certain areas of the continent, so I won't be familiar with them.
A few of you have asked if caterpillars can sting. Yes, there are a number of species that can sting or leave welts on your skin. Some of the caterpillars with "hair" can cause stinging, eye irritation, and even respiratory irritation. My advice to everyone is to not handle caterpillars, especially those with fuzzy hair, and especially those that have coarse-looking branching hairs as those often sting -- sometimes very painfully. I don't know much about how to heal a caterpillar sting. Most stings probably go away after a few hours, but some of the wounds that are really bad can last for several days.
bev
curious steve 25-Aug-2008 21:03
Bev, please help if you can. My 5 year old niece broke out in spotted rash on skin and around eyes(presumably after rubbing it) after playing with 2 caterpillars,(furry, yellow and black, i think there was some red to them also). They were found on a leaf in downtown Welland, Ontario. Could these be the cause? Thanks so much. I'll look for a reply if you have the time.
Sybil 25-Aug-2008 17:19
We live in southwestern Milwaukee (Wisconsin) county. On a dried up New England aster twig near a false goldenrod, I found a black caterpillar approx 1.75" long with yellow squares on its body. Went through every caterpillar book I and our local suburban library have (even the children's section!) but couldn't find the critter! Any suggestions as to its identity? This web site is terrific!
Heather 24-Aug-2008 00:05
Hello from Pa. We found 2 catapillars near our horse barn. They have big heads and big black eyes. The first one we found was green and the second one was yellow, now they are both yellow. They almost look like they have tongues. Please help us identify them.
Thank you.
Guest 20-Aug-2008 17:24
From Newfoundland Canada. Can Caterpillar contact (accidentally squished it on my neck before realizing what it was) cause a "rash" itching, raised bumps and swelling? If so, how long will symptoms last? Anything I can do?
Wendy 16-Aug-2008 14:34
I have pictures I can send later, but now I don't have my camera cable. I am in lower North Carolina visiting. My brother has beautiful potted roses that were consumed within 2 days, leaves and flowers. There are pearl looking eggs in the pots. The caterpillars are about 1-1/2" long. Yellow fuzzy, with black streak on underbelly. Red head with long feathered antenna, three red bumps on front behind head, and a long pointed "stinger" on his end. They make cottony type cocoons on under side of few remaining dead leaves.When I touched one with the back of my hand I had slight redness and itching for a few hours. Any idea without a picture?
Rhondia Harlow 14-Aug-2008 04:37
Hi, I have been searching several days now for a Caterpillar we found in our yard the other day and have been able to do so. i wish i had put it in some thing and kept and may search for it this weekend. i took it across the street because we were getting ready to mow and didn't want it to get killed. Lets see if I can describe it well enough. It was very large. I would say around 3 inches long and bigger then a jumbo hot dog around. It had a yellow face area and tail area, had grey hairs in rows clear down its body. I believe the body was grey in color also. This may sound awful but it looked almost like a large moving turd. Any help in identifying this catterpillar would be much appreciated. I don't know if this helps but I live in east central Illinois. I have lived in this area all my life and have never seen anything like this but am very interested to find out what type of butterfly or moth it may be.
kb 13-Aug-2008 16:05
The question below could be about tobacco hornworms (Manduca sexta). They like tomato plants and are often parasitized by Cotesia (brachonid wasps) that emerge as white eggs on the back of the caterpillers. These caterpillars are green with 7 oblique white lines above the spiracles that I often think are edged in blue above in later instars. The horn is often reddish in mine. Hope this helps...
Carol Greco 13-Aug-2008 00:03
We have unidentified strange looking caterpillars on our tomato plants. They look like the green horned sphinx with many white long oval eggs standing upright on top of their backs. What are they?
I have looked all over the internet. thanks! Carol
P Cantin 12-Aug-2008 15:47
I live in southwestern Ontario and we have been experiencing a large number of fuzzy white caterpillars during the latter part of July and first half of August--they are about 1 inch long with quite long white hair, black head,black underside and a row of black spots on each side with smaller spots beneath these rows.Any idea what they are?
guest 02-Aug-2008 14:56
I't is so hard to find pictures and information on caterpillars. This is a wonderful web-site. Thank you
Rosemarie Kusserow18-Jul-2008 20:07
Another very enjoyable and so beautiful gallery, vote, Rosemarie :o)
Bryce C. 14-Jul-2008 22:09
Here in N.Y.C there are caterpillars with white fur and two antennae that are brown stick out in front do you know what they are called.
Bev Wigney08-Jul-2008 12:02
Sarah - Doesn't sound familiar to me, but perhaps some visitor to the gallery will offer their opinion. - bev
Sarah 08-Jul-2008 04:31
I live in mid-Minnesota where my husband found a caterpillar that I can't seem to identify through extensive web search. It is yellow, bumpy smooth, has a black stripe on each side laterally, faint pencil thin black line down the back, short black tufts down the back, black spines like a tree branch (some w/ miniscule spots) all around the sides and by the head which is dark reddish brown-black and the feet in the middle are the same color. Any guess or know for sure? I've seen similar or sorta but nothing exact. Thanks.
Lori 30-Jun-2008 00:04
Hi!
My name is Lori, I'm am from Newfoundland Canada and I am having a problem with an ifestation in my aspen trees with catapillers eating the leaves. I'm not sure what they are i've been looking at different web sites to see if I can match one with a picture but cannot. The only kind that looks similar are the eastern tent caterpillars, these do not have quite the same look, they hang from a web at times. they are black with white square spots on its back and has orange/brown hairs on them. They are in thousands. I have pictures, I could send them to you,just let me know how! Thank's Lori West.
Jackie 19-Jun-2008 13:48
I live in Canada, my friend found a caterpillar in her purse when she was cleaning it out. We are from the Niagra Falls area. Its base color is Black with black spikes it seems to have short little white hairs and smooth orange spots on its back! Could you know what it is and what it will turn into. I do have a pic also if you would like to see it! Thanks
Alyak 05-Jun-2008 16:43
Hi, I recently found a brown and blue caterpillar in my driveway. It was slightly fuzzy on the bottom, and was mostly light brown with blue arrows down its back. I got a stick and put it in the garden, then went to get a camera. When I came back, it was gone. I thought it might be a Eastern Tent Caterpillar, but when I saw pictures of them, it was a bit different. I live in Northern New Jersey. Could you possibly tell me what it was?

Alyak
Bev Wigney01-Jun-2008 22:13
I'm not that familiar with caterpillars in British Columbia (I'm in Ontario). There is some difference in species distribution. Did the caterpillar have hair or spiny things covering its body? - bev
Shaughnessy 01-Jun-2008 15:40
we have a black catepillar with a orange stripe down his back and white likes running from the orange stripe. Do you know what type it is? We live in Vernon, BC.
Thanks -
Shaughnessy
Bev Wigney26-May-2008 20:55
Hi Laine,
I live in Canada, so the species we have up here are fairly different than down your way -- especially species of caterpillars that feed on host plants that we don't have up here, such as the amaryllis.
-- bev
laine 26-May-2008 20:41
I live in Ft Lauderdale Fl and have a lot of butterflies and plant many plants for them There are fuzzy and bristled caterpillars, pale yellow when smaller and getting golden brown when I think more mature, eating my amaryllis leaves. There is no black on them. Any ideas thank you, Laine
Bev Wigney28-Apr-2008 22:28
Hi Kate -- I'm not at all familiar with caterpillars from Australia, so I'm afraid I can't ID it for you. - bev
kate 28-Apr-2008 10:17
In Australia i saw a caterpillar with light coloured fur and a horn at the front (i think) do you have any idea what this is?
Bev Wigney04-Apr-2008 08:15
Pat - Without seeing a photo of the caterpillar, I can't ID it for you (and might not be able to even if I did). However, most of the time, when an insect has an appearance that is camouflaged to look like a certain plant, tree, etc... it's a good bet that it either feeds on that plant, OR that it is a predator of another insect that would normally be found on that plant. - bev
Pat 02-Apr-2008 20:18
We found what we think is a caterpillar at the base of an oak tree, 2-3 inches long, pinchers on his tail and looks EXACTLY like the bark of the Oak tree. Underside is pinkish and purpleish. He is also agressive. What would he eat?
Bev Wigney27-Mar-2008 21:14
Carman - They would turn into moth and not butterflies. I should mention that tent caterpillars do not make the best caterpillars to study as -- as far as I know -- the "hair" can break off and float around in the air and I think it can be very irritating to the eyes and respiratory system of humans -- at least, that is what I have read in various sources. If I were to keep caterpillars for children to study, I would choose either the caterpillars of the Monarch or Black Swallowtail butterflies. You'll find the Monarch cats on milkweed in early summer, or the cats of Black Swallowtails on dill plants in the garden (many people find them on their dill). Those both make pretty good project caterpillars for observation.
Bev Wigney26-Jan-2008 12:50
naturelover --- I would just leave the caterpillar to continue doing what it wants to do. It's not unusual to find some species of caterpillars out and about on mild days during winter. They usually find themselves a suitable refuge when the weather turns cold again.
naturelover 26-Jan-2008 07:39
We found a mostly brown caterpillar with a fairly wide black stripe down it's middle just last week. We believe it came out of the dormancy mode when we had 2 days of 70 degree heat and sun. It has been in a small plastic container and I tried leaving a capful of water for it to drink,but sadly it won't eat or drink. Another 44 degree day is suppose to come up next week so we have decided to put it back underneath our front stoop,where we believe she crawled out from under to begin with. We are hoping she will be better able to do whatever she needs to do. If there is anyone who has a better idea please let us know! Thanks!
Lukey 31-Dec-2007 19:47
My son found a black furry caterpillar in October and put it in a plastic vented terrarium with lots of leaves, sticks, rocks, etc. He also included water in a small bottle cap. Amazingly, it has shed it skin once and doubled in size. We continued feeding it leaves from a tiger lily type plant. Two weeks ago (mid December), it made a tent-like "hibernation" area in the corner of the terrarium. It now seems to be in a shiny, smooth, black pupae of some sort. Is looks most similar to the Tiger Moth photo but it has always been all black with just a very slight bit of orange. What should we expect in terms of a hatch date and what might emerge?
Lukey 31-Dec-2007 19:47
My son found a black furry caterpillar in October and put it in a plastic vented terrarium with lots of leaves, sticks, rocks, etc. He also included water in a small bottle cap. Amazingly, it has shed it skin once and doubled in size. We continued feeding it leaves from a tiger lily type plant. Two weeks ago (mid December), it made a tent-like "hibernation" area in the corner of the terrarium. It now seems to be in a shiny, smooth, black pupae of some sort. Is looks most similar to the Tiger Moth photo but it has always been all black with just a very slight bit of orange. What should we expect in terms of a hatch date and what might emerge?
Starz 30-Dec-2007 23:19
It is December and I found a fat furry all black caterpillar . I can`t find out what kind it is , if it should be outside (I live in PA , USA ) , or and what should I feed it ? I have it in a glass bowl with leaves that it was laying in when I found it ,along with an acorn and a rock . Any info would be great please . If it can live through the freezing snow and winter I will release it . Thank you .
Sharon 27-Nov-2007 00:32
We just recently raised a banded tussock caterpillar but unfortunately due to an overwatering incident he never emerged from his cocoon state. My question is.. do the actual moths eat anything? This was a science project of my sons and I can find little on the moth itself. Could you enlighten us.
Thanks.
Guest 11-Nov-2007 16:29
I live in illinois and i found a leopard moth and i wanted to know if i should give him water? I put a wet paper towel in. We put fresh leaves in every day. My daughters loves talking to it. Its a wonderful pet to have because it is less hassle to take care of. If any one has any information on how to care for it please let me know. thanks.
Guest 07-Nov-2007 02:45
I raised a leopard moth cat, and yes, keep giving him fresh leaves as long as he keeps eating. If he stops , he's probably ging to pupate, Put a few inches of loose soil in the bottom of his container, because they burrow when they pupate. Potting soil would be good, because it's free of other bugs. I didn't know about the soil, and mine cocooned between 2 paper towels! I think this species is one that spends the winter in the caterpillar stage.

The moth is very pretty, so good luck with your cat! Susan
Megan Barrett 06-Nov-2007 02:42
My son found a Leopard Moth caterpillar. We want to keep it to observe the stages it will go through in becoming a moth. I assume it is getting ready to hibernate- we live in Kansas City and it is getting pretty cold. Any care suggestions to see the caterpillar through the winter and into the spring? Should we keep fresh leaves with it? Thanks!
LC Goh03-Nov-2007 09:41
thumbs up, voted
Bev Wigney23-Oct-2007 15:59
Paula - Sorry to not reply sooner, but I'm on a road trip and only checking my email and websites from time to time. Your caterpillar sounds like a Sphinx moth of some kind, but without a photo, I can't really tell you which one it might be. I live in eastern Canada, so am not that familiar with the species that might be found in Phoenix, AZ. No doubt, there are quite a few possibilities. Sometimes it's helpful to know the plant host of the caterpillar as quite a few of the Sphinx species feed almost exclusively on certain plants. The process which you have mentioned about the green gel may have something to do with molting, especially as these caterpillars grow so quickly. Most parasites that I've seen are fairly obvious -- white blobs stuck to the outside of the caterpillar, or black markings which seem to have something dark burrowing into the caterpillar beneath the outer skin, Anyhow, I hope some of that info helps.
Paula 22-Oct-2007 15:07
I'm sorry. I forgot to include that we are located in Phoenix, Arizona.
Paula 19-Oct-2007 23:04
A fellow teacher found a large, pale green caterpillar this week. We can best describe its markings as a brownish repeating "V" pattern down its back. It has one large horn at its backend. We think it is a Sphinx moth caterpillar, but are not sure. 2 days ago, a bright green "gel" started coming out of the back end and has gotten larger. The caterpillar is now moving only slightly every now and then. Could it be moulting, or do you think it is dying? We did see one picture of a caterpillar with some kind of parasite eggs attached that looked like the same color, but were smaller.
Bendi 02-Oct-2007 20:58
We found a green catapillar with a purple point on the end. I was wondering if it was ok to let my little girl take to school with her. What kind of catapillar is it. We live in SE Georgia. Could you please leave a message on my email just in case I can not get back to this site. I would like to know asap.
Guest 19-Sep-2007 00:50
Hi Bev-
I'm the guest that asked about the black and yellow caterpillar on the banks of the Colorado. Thanks for the response! That's him/her!!
Katy D. 18-Sep-2007 20:25
I've recently found some caterpillars tearing up a vine of mine. I'm in the southeastern US. The caterpillar is a deep reddish rown with what look to be pretty solid black spikes covering it. also seems to have a black face. I found them in all different sizes, the largest being about 1-1 1/2 inches long, not wide. Any idea?
Bev Wigney13-Sep-2007 12:36
William - How neat to see a Spicebush Swallowtail. I hope you found some photos of the adult butterfly as they're quite attractive. If not, there are photos here: http://www.butterflygardeningandconservation.com/butterfly/st/spicebush.php
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tyrone - Thanks!
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nicki - The Black Swallowtail caterpillar doesn't sting. If provoked, they will extend their osmeterium - little rubbery looking thing on the head - and there is a scent that is released that (to me) resembles the smell of tangerines. I don't think it's harmful to a large creature such as a human, but probably off-putting to insects or possibly birds. There's a photo of one here on my blog: http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2006/08/11/go-away-and-leave-me-alone/
nicki knutson 12-Sep-2007 21:22
i never knew that there were so many different types of catapillars until my daughters found a blackswallowtail catapillar~ do you know, do they sting, are they dangerous?
tyrone 11-Sep-2007 19:46
nice
William Start 10-Sep-2007 15:57
I recently found and photographed a SPICEBUSH caterpillar which I discovered on my cottage door in Lake County, Michigan near Irons, MI. I identified the caterpillar from another website based in England. I've never seen such an unusual caterpillar before and was curious to know what kind of butterfly/moth it turns into. If you're interested in a picture I'd be glad to send them to you.
Bev Wigney10-Sep-2007 12:30
Jean - Which photo is it at Flickr. If you post a link to it, I'll take a look and see if I can identify which one it is. Chances are, if it is a furry yellow caterpillar with long black lashes (spikes), it's probably one of the Tussock moth caterpillar species. There are several that are somewhat similar, so I'd have to see a photo of one in order to figure out which one it might be.
Jean 09-Sep-2007 16:49
Bev,
I see several inquiries about the furry yellow caterpillar with black spikes that like maple trees, and a photo posted from flickr that matches the one on my maple. Howvever, I didn't see any identification of what it it or what kind of butterfly or moth it produces. Any help?
Thanks, -JeanW
Bev Wigney08-Sep-2007 16:08
Cher & "guest" -- Does this look sort of like your caterpillar?
http://www.lesinsectesduquebec.com/insecta/27-lepidoptera/Halysidota_maculata.htm
If so, it's the Spotted Tussock Moth. They have a pretty wide range and eat leaves of many kinds of trees.
There's a photo of the moth down below the image of the caterpillar on the page that I've linked to.
Guest 08-Sep-2007 15:41
Hi- My wife and I also just found one that fits Cher's description. Black, yellow, black with dense "hair", and white spines from end to end. He/she was about 2.5 to three inches long and 5/8 to 3/4 wide. We found it on the banks of the Colorado river.
cher 07-Sep-2007 17:55
I just found a black and yellow caterpillar, actually black, yellow and black (tri color) with white spiky hairs in my crab apple tree and I would like to know what kind it is. I live in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. Anyone know?
Guest 07-Sep-2007 00:03
My brother and sister found a caterpillar on our tree earlier, (I think it's an oak tree) but I don't know what kind it is. It is 2 inches long, and 1 inch wide. It is bright green, and it has lots of red spots on it, and there are hairs coming out of the spots.
Bev Wigney06-Sep-2007 11:26
Diane - Sorry, I don't think I've heard of the caterpillars which you've described. Perhaps they live in a tropical region. I live in Canada and we don't have too many caterpillars that can sting -- and those that do, are considered to be fairly innocuous -- usually some stinging or skin irritation if you come into contact with one.
Diane 30-Aug-2007 21:09
I have been told that there is a variety of caterpillar that lives in a group such that from a distance, it looks like a big flower. As a group, they are supossed to be highly toxic. Would you happen to know the name of the caterpillar &/or have a picture of it? thank you, Diane
Bev Wigney26-Aug-2007 04:24
Guest - Yes, Euchaetes egle are great caterpillars -- so colourful and so much fun to watch!
Guest 25-Aug-2007 23:07
Thankyou so much! The milkweed I planted for Monarchs was suddenly covered with spectacular small caterpillars. And googling "caterpillars on milkweed" I found your excellent photos -- the critters are Eucahetes egle. They're having a fine old feast of it. Helen, Coventry CT August 25
Bev Wigney18-Aug-2007 16:29
The only caterpillar I can think of that may match that description is the Saddleback Caterpillar (Acharia stimulea). I haven't photographed one as they aren't supposed to be up here in Canada. I would have thought that Michigan was also too far north, but perhaps not. Anyhow, here's a link to a page with a photo of one (see top photo on the page). These belong in a group known as "Slug Caterpillars" as they move more like slugs than caterpillars, which seems to also fit your description. Also note: These caterpillars have STINGING SPINES and are supposed to have about the strongest sting of any of the North American species of caterpillars.
http://www.duke.edu/~jspippen/naturephotos/caterpillars.htm
Guest 17-Aug-2007 21:38
I was hoping you might be able to help me identify a caterpillar that I found recently on a golf course in southern Michigan. He's pretty small (about 1/4 - 1/2 inch long), but a very interesting bug. He has two large horns in front and two in back, along with several smaller ones on both ends. The horns have little bristles all over them, and if you look real close you can see that the tips of the bristle are black. The horns and all of his front and back are a maroonish color, but there is a bright green strip along his back with a dark circle in the middle(it's looks kind of like he's wearing a coat). The bottom of him is all bright green and he doesn't really have legs his belly juse kind of moves like a wave and it pushes him along. I'm planning on taking pictures, which I will post and let you know where if you cannot identify him by this description. I've just never seen anything like it and would be interested to know more about it. Thanks.
Bev Wigney15-Aug-2007 15:33
Kris - Do you think it actually bit you with its mandibles? Many caterpillars, beetles and other insects have sharply, clawed little feed for gripping plant stalks and will also grip onto what they perceive to be predators in an attempt to make them let go. As for becoming sick from being close to a caterpillar, there are a few species that have setae (hair-like bristles) that can cause some respiratory irritation if they are handled. A small number of caterpillars can cause skin rashes if handled. A few can produce a strong stinging sensation. However, I've never spoken to anyone who has actually had any kind of serious reaction to a caterpillar, although a few people have mentioned minor encounters with the stinging types.
Kris 14-Aug-2007 21:29
I recently found a caterpillar with my daughter and when I picked it up it bit me. I never have been bit before by a caterpillar. We found a yellow (maybe a little golden yellow) fuzzy caterpillar with black spikes. I did not see it on this site. I did not have a camera to take a picture. Can caterpillars make you sick?
Bev Wigney09-Aug-2007 14:51
ied canada - Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. I kept some of the caterpillars on the buckthorn and now that they're larger, it looks like they're turning out to be Fall Webworm (Hyphantria cunea). I've since found more on another buckthorn bush, which is good as we have a particularly bad invasive buckthorn in our region. Most caterpillars won't touch it, so it's nice to find these caterpillars feeding upon it.
Guest 09-Aug-2007 04:02
Hi, Thanks for the information on the 4 horned sphinx caterpillar, Bev...this is an awesome informational site and I will check here for all of my boy's caterpillar finds!
Thanks again!
Marla
ied canada 06-Aug-2007 16:53
The white furry caterpillar and the stick caterpillar I haven't seen since I was a child in West London UK. I am sorry I can't help you there. The buckthorn catepillar although a different colour resembles what is called "tent" caterpillar here in Winnipeg Manitoba. When they swarm they make an awful mess of the crabapple trees. Would these two be a variant of the same moth?
Bev Wigney02-Aug-2007 12:23
Maria - Yes, yours is probably the Four-Horned Sphinx caterpillar. They can be either green or brownish in colour. When threatened, they do assume a defensive position to try to intimidate anything that is coming near. They're always a great find.
Guest 01-Aug-2007 16:33
HI there,
We found what seems to be a 4 horned sphinx by our flower garden (the cat was jumping at it), if you touch it, it jerks its body aggressively. The only difference is that this one is rather purplish/brown on it's top (green on the bottom)...has all the same horns and pattern as the 4 horned sphinx...is it the same thing? Thanks!
Marla
Bev Wigney15-Jun-2007 09:46
Hi Dave - Thanks! Regarding the caterpillar that appeared to be guarding the egg masses, I've never heard of anything such as you describe. Sounds very unusual to me. Did you happen to take any photos of any of this as it's the kind of thing that it is nice to document. As for the other caterpillar, I can't really suggest what it might be. Even with a photo it would be difficult as what you may be seeing is an early instar of a caterpillar that will be much larger by the time it pupates. Really, the only way to know what a lot of the caterpillars are is to put them in a container and supply them with the food that they prefer (usually whatever plant you've found them eating) and raise them until they pupate and see what emerges. I've done that a couple of times in the past and it can be very interesting. With the exception of some of the really large silk moth type caterpillars, most of them grow very quickly, pupate, and will emerge as moths or sometimes butterflies in a remarkably short time. Again, this is all stuff that is fun to document through photos if possible.
Dave 15-Jun-2007 06:18
Hey, love the site! Great pics. I recently found a black caterpillar with yellow linear stripes and black spines. It was very dedicated to protecting two small white egg sacs, which eventually became a small swarm of gnats. The caterpillar died, but protected the eggs with his life. Ever heard of such a thing? Found all this going on under a milkweed leaf in rural eastern Iowa. Also trying to identify a small caterpillar of about 1 cm, nearly round, yellow with black spines. Haven't found ident anywhere.
Canadian in the US 28-May-2007 14:50
Thanks for such a great collection. Helped me ID the Leopard moth caterpillar that showed up in our garage - not sure how, but it's doing the play dead act. We might keep it (contained with no offspring). It is so big I am afraid that if we let it loose it will eat everything in sight... South Carolina
jessica 04-May-2007 21:11
don't you have any yellow, black AND furry caterpillars with three white lines? everything besides that is outrageous!
Bev Wigney19-Apr-2007 20:19
It could be a Black Swallowtail caterpillar as there's a lot of variation in their color and size. Some are mostly dark gray with some yellow bands. They aren't usually quite that large, but some do look quite big. The best thing to do is just leave it where it is as it will probably pupate soon and turn into a butterfly (or moth if it's something else).
Suzanne 19-Apr-2007 15:54
Dog just saw a large caterpillar outside on the wood fence. It was 5-6 inches long, at least 1/2 inch wide. Rather a grey solid color with solid yellow bands going across entire back (maybe underside too)Bands were narrow and looked somewhat like your "pearly wood-nymph" except yellow. No other color on it. Didn't know what to do other than carry dog inside. Any ideas?
Bev Wigney03-Oct-2006 14:55
Hi Dean, Sorry to not reply sooner, but I'm on the road at the moment and only checking my messages a couple of times a week. I wonder if your caterpillar could be a Spicebush Swallowtail. Try looking that one up on the net. That species is dark brown or black and has long spines. Very unusual looking. I think there's an autumn hatch of these in your region. We don't get them up where I am (eastern Ontario) as we're too far north and don't have the right food plants. Good luck identifying your caterpillars! -bev
dean 30-Sep-2006 21:59
i saw what i think is a very unique caterpillar the other night. all black, w/sharp spindles along entire body. it was quite large about 5"(inches) and about 1/2 inch wide.
i've never seen one like it before. i live in medford Long island. do you know what type it may be?
thanks dean
Guest 16-Sep-2006 15:57
Great selection of photos. I, too, have been trying to identify a yellow caterpillar.http://www.flickr.com/photos/34739552@N00/ This one, approx. 2 inches long, is about twice as long as most of the ones I've seen, and has one extra pair of black tufts on the middle of its back. At first I though it was a spotted apatelodes, but after closer examination I think it must be something else. We have a large maple tree that seems to be what draws them. Every morning we find several around the yard, under the canopy of the tree, and we were wondering if we should take some action to remove them. Any help in identifying this would be greatly appreciated.
Bev Wigney01-Sep-2006 10:15
Regarding the yellow and black caterpillars that a few of you have seen. Has anyone taken a photo of it. Why not post the photo on some place like Flickr and then post the link here. It's difficult to ID a caterpillar just from a description, especially when it may just be common in a certain region.
Guest 30-Aug-2006 13:23
I have those yellow caterpillars with black pointers all over my house. wondering if they were poisonous or not? Any help!!
MC Towers 29-Aug-2006 21:27
I was hoping to find the caterpillar I found here, but no such luck
Does anyone know of a yellow fuzzy caterpillar with two pairs of black pointers near its head and one near its bottom?
Elementary teacher looking for science question.......
Bev Wigney04-Jan-2006 12:55
Thanks, Jean -- I believe you're right about that. There's a photo of an Elm Sawfly (Cimbex americana) larva on page 12 of David L. Wagner's "Caterpillar of Eastern North America" which looks identical. - bev
jean in OR 04-Jan-2006 04:08
Your 3 photos of the "yellow caterpillar" are more likely a swfly larva.
Ashley Hockenberry21-Nov-2005 21:29
Awesome!!!!
Guest 05-Oct-2005 13:23
Very nice collection!
Bev Wigney29-Nov-2004 12:55
lol.. I'm not entirely sure if that was meant to be a compliment, but I'll take it as such!
(-:
Guest 29-Nov-2004 06:15
omg, they are really amazing pics...
i just cant get over myself!!!, i cant stand these long curly stuff >_< i feel kind of "uneasy" when i see them ... eeek~
marcia 13-Nov-2004 03:31
love your picture gallery, my mom and i live in florida and saw a hyalophor cecropia caterpillar on veterans day, first time i have ever seen one, he was beautiful . we let him go across the street from her house unharmed!
click on thumbnails for full image