Regal moth larvae, Hickory Horned Devils

20 Mar, 2008
9 likes

This is the larvae to the Regal moth, Citheronia regalis. It's called the Hickory Horned Devil. Although they look fierce with those rigid horns, they are harmless unless you happen to be a bird trying to swallow one ! The caterpillar on the top is in his 6th instar and had hit the ground searching for a good place to tunnel underground to pupate. The one on the bottom is also in his 6th instar but he's not quite ready to hit the ground. When they turn that dark turquoise color, you know they are ready to tunnel. They are by far the coolest caterpillar there is !

Comments on this photo

Majeekahead

your brave! lol

20 Mar, 2008

Sid

Very cool! They look alien!

20 Mar, 2008

Grammazoo

What a beautiful turquoise colour!

20 Mar, 2008

Flcrazy

I haven't seen any of these in years ! I love these caterpillars. They remind me of the paper dragons that cover a city block in the Chinese parades.

20 Mar, 2008

Diohio

Exactly Flcrazy !!! That's the perfect description ! So you used to see these guys down there? Do you remember what plant they were on? Pretty cool.

21 Mar, 2008

Flcrazy

They were on the ground under my hickory nut tree. I guess the tree is good for something, these trees ruin the soil around them, similar to a walnut tree, and it's hard to find things that will thrive in that soil. I've killed alot of stuff trying to find something that will grow there.

21 Mar, 2008