I am always on the alert for turtles in the road and if conditions allow, I’ll stop and help the critter, usually a box turtle, cross safely. A few days ago as I drove up my mountain, along the twisty, steep, gravel road, I spotted something. Certainly not a turtle, but something I don’t recall ever stopping for in the past. Something that I never would have guessed I’d see from the driver’s seat of my truck. A HUGE caterpillar. My surprise only increased as I approached the caterpillar and saw what it looked like. Certainly he was a Chinese dragon all set for a New Year’s parade.
An aqua color of 1950s cars, with accents of bright, rich orange, and black. Regularly spaced black spikes along his body segments and much larger spiked horns/antlers of orange, tipped with black near his head. Yes, that looks like a Chinese dragon to me.
In reality though this critter is a Hickory Horned Devil Caterpillar, the larva of the Regal Moth, Citheronia regalis. In addition to his interesting color scheme, this guy is incredibly large. Think the size of a large hot dog. But it is a caterpillar that you don’t need to be frightened of. He will cause you no harm. If you see one, treat him with care, and guide him to a spot of soft dirt where he can achieve his goal of burrowing, where he will pupate over the winter.
In this stage of his life he has been eating. Chomping down on the leaves of hickory, ash, persimmon, sweetgum, sycamore and walnut. No wonder he made his home here. This is what many of the trees in my woods are. No need to be concerned about what he is eating. There are not enough of these guys to be a concern and for the most part are not considered a pest. The Hickory Horned Devil is native to the eastern US from New Jersey to Missouri and on southward to east Texas and central Florida.
The Regal Moth will emerge from the ground as an adult in late June or early July. As an adult he will not eat, and will live about one week.
He will reach a wingspan of up to six inches. Looking like a cuddly, furry, off white and orange Teddy bear, he will be in search of a mate. Eggs hatch in six to ten days. The larval stage, the Hickory Horned Devil Caterpillar, lives for about 35 days.
8 responses to “BIG Caterpillar”
The size of a big hot dog……wow, that is a big caterpillar. Can’t say I’ve seen one down here. I’d love to run into one. Nice article.
Candy, it seems there is just a short window of opportunity to see one. When the caterpillar comes down from the trees looking for a place to dig himself into the dirt to pupate during the winter. I was lucky, big time! On the other hand they are more prevalent in the south. Keep looking. After all, I saw this guy while I was driving up our road! Sending hugs your way!
Wow, what an unusual color. I have only seen these in my insect books so I appreciate your pictures. The adult is handsome also. Nice catch, Brenda, so glad you didn’t run over him.
Hahaha! I’m glad I didn’t run over him too, Nancy. My tires might not have survived. 🙂
So glad I saw him and was able to get a picture of him. The pictures of the adult are from 2007. So nice how things sometimes come together!
Haven’t seen you in forever. Hope things are good there at your place.
We’ve been seeing a larger number of big caterpillars this year. Love the photos of yours!
Wayne, isn’t it interesting how things vary from year to year. With our *moisture* I have noticed there will be a BIG wild persimmon crop this year, and no telling why, but bears have been REALLY abundant, big and little ones. Along with your caterpillars, I wonder why.
So glad you like the pictures!
I was going to paint this beautiful caterpillar and moth at one point as part of a series, but I already sold the first two paintings of the wooly caterpillar and luna moth so I didn’t venture painting further. Still, I think I need to revisit this noble creature! So beautiful! What a great find, Brenda.
Get painting dear Kathy!! Hoping you’ll feel my find is an inspiration for you. I feel so fortunate that he was crossing the road, just when I was coming along!