In keeping with last week's theme, here's another mystery caterpillar to identify. This one tends to curl up into a ball when it feels threatened, as you can see from the photo. Know what it is? Leave your answer and check back next Wednesday to see if you were correct. If you'd like some hints, drop by the forum.
Last week's bright yellow caterpillar was indeed a spicebush swallowtail, Papilio troilus. Congrats to lepcurious, TC, and Mobugs41 for answering correctly! The yellow color is a sign it has reached the final instar before pupating. Earlier instars are green, or resemble bird droppings. I have yet to find a spicebush swallowtail caterpillar in anything but the yellow stage - they're just too well camouflaged!
Comments
Well, I am stumped!
I have no idea, but it looks amazingly like a sea urchin!
To find spicebush caterpillars, identify which of their host plants are near you and go search them out. Spicebush caterpillars are famous for rolling leaves around themselves to make a temporary shelter that helps to shield them from predators. Search host plants like camphor or spicebush and look for leaves rolled the long way like a cigar. Peel them gently open and you just may find yourself a caterpillar
The ones in their final instar are more often found as they go wandering to look for a good and out of the way spot to pupate.
Another of my favorites! Giant Leopard Moths are so neat and the moths are simply gorgeous: all snowy white with black spots. The caterpillars feel like a bristled hairbrush and aren’t sharp at all to touch, but they sure look dangerous.
Believe me, I’ve searched the host plants. I have some small spicebushes in my yard, which I planted just to attract them. I’ve not only looked for rolled leaves, I’ve gone out at night with a flashlight, since they feed at night. I suspect the ones in my yard are feeding instead on my sassafras trees, which are mostly out of reach for me. I’ve only found the late instar cats when they’ve wandered off to pupate.
That is the larva of the Giant Leopard moth, Ecpantheria scribonaia. This caterpillar has hairs much like it’s relative the woolly bear which put it in the family Archtiidae.
They are large caterpillars and the red lines are very distinct.