Caterpillar

[Mikaila31]

My Mom brought home this pretty thing from the Minnesota State fair. Its a cecropia moth caterpillar, I haven't seen one in probably 10 years. They are native here but sneaky things. They are one of my favorite caterpillars, luna moth caterpillars are another favorite. Also these guys cocoon over winter, so it won't turn into a moth till next year, if everything goes right. I plan to buy 1-2 more when I go to the fair. I love the big sticky feet they have.

 

[mixmaster jay]

i haven't seen caterpillars like that for about 20 years lol we used to get them quite regular (not that sort) where i used to live we had loads of fields and countryside around us , probably why we saw them alot lol

 

[silverrabbit]

That's one of the most beautiful things i've seen I'd love to see one IRL

 

[Platygirl11]

It's so pretty! (I like luna moth caterpillars too, but my favorites are monarch caterpillars.)

 

[frenchmist]

That has to be one of the nicest caterpillars i've seen ! So beautiful. Prob is love caterpillars but I don't like moths

 

[Buddyboy67]

Brilliant pics of a stunning caterpillar...oo and frenchmist..i think you meant pertrified of them..

 

[frenchmist]

Can't deny it ..caught red handed

Amazing how atheletic I can become when faced with a moth
Still love the caterpillar tho .....

 

[kj23502]

so you're keeping them? What do they eat?

 

[Mikaila31]

It seems to prefer maple leaves, but the web lists about a dozen different leaves it will eat.

I was kinda disappointed that the butterfly tent was not handing out any info with the caterpillars(similar to fair goldfish). It came home in a little plastic critter keeper with a few leaves that dried up in 24hours. We did get a monarch caterpillar too, but it already turned into a chrysalis. People are more familiar with monarchs though. I recognized the cecropia right away and am familiar with there needs and life cycle, but I doubt the majority of the people who bought them are. Most importantly they cocoon over winter, those that don't realize this will probably throw the cocoon out thinking it's dead come winter . Since they spend about 5 or more months cocooned and need to be outside in the cold, we usually attach the cocoon to the outside of one of the house windows. So we don't forget about it come spring. If everything goes right and it hatches you get to see one of North America's largest Moths (lol frenchmist). They should be released within 24 hours of hatching, because as adults they are unable to eat and only live 1-2 weeks. During this time the mate and lay eggs before dieing. Also because its a moth, it should be release at night.

Adults look like this.

 

[kj23502]

WOW that's so pretty

 

[silverrabbit]

WOAH! amazing!

 

[mixmaster jay]

that is huge and verry pretty too

 

[morgan]

The caterpillar is very interesting, it looks like it has ladybirds (ladybugs) on top. The adult moth is very pretty too.

 

[demonmagus]

Wow, can you get a pic of that caterpillar in a larger rez?

 

[howard_hopkinson]

That is absolutely stunning.