Imperial Moth Caterpillar

[The15thMember]

This morning I was outside cleaning some bottom board inserts, and I heard my sister call up from the barn, "REAGAN?!  WHAT IS THIS?!"  I went down and found her looking down at the biggest caterpillar I have ever seen galloping across the ground.  I set the bottom board insert I was carrying in front of him, he crawled onto it, and we took him in the house.  (I never touch an unknown hairy caterpillar, since some species have urticating (vemon-producing) hairs.  He was perfectly safe however. )  It turned out to be an imperial moth caterpillar.  We have seen imperial moths before, both as adults and caterpillars, but never one in it's final instar.     

[Kathyp]

Are you going to keep it until it changes?

[The15thMember]

Are you going to keep it until it changes?

No, it's a soil pupating moth, so it wouldn't be much fun to watch anyway.  We do have a spicebush swallowtail pupating in our garden right now though.  I can't seem to find the pictures I took of it.     

[The15thMember]

Of course, right when I gave up I found it.    Although I was just informed that it's not there anymore, so something must have eaten it. 

[The15thMember]

They have returned! 

[Terri Yaki]

Ewwwwww, you touched it.   

[The15thMember]

:l