It took me a while to identify this caterpillar. My first reference is "Moths & Caterpillars of the North Woods" by Jim Sogaard. This is a great book with matching photos of most moths with their larval forms. Although the white-marked tussock is supposed to be common in the eastern United States and Canada it was not included in "Moths & Caterpillars of the North Woods". So I had to do some searching on the Internet and that is where I found several pics that helped to ID it. This caterpillar seems to feed mostly on tree leaves, like birch, oak, apple cherry, fir and spruce. There are typically two broods each year in the northern part of their range with the second brood over wintering in the egg form.
Pretty little critter isn't he? Well done! I was stung by one these lovelies a couple of years ago. Pretty deceiving! Happy New Year! Cathy
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool dude...I love all the little furry details in this guy! A wonderful macro!
ReplyDeleteGreat color contrast with the leaves. Nice shot!
ReplyDeletegreat photo of a wild and crazy critter.
ReplyDeletea great macro
ReplyDeletehappy new year!
Very pretty to look at but I'm pretty sure they are poisonous!
ReplyDeleteLa multi ani!
ReplyDeleteFrumoasa captura!
Great macro with wonderful green colors!
ReplyDeleteHe's very pretty. I love the light.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delicate little creature. Terrific capture.
ReplyDeleteThanks for helping us identify the 'pillar, which a friend had posted on Facebook. He came by for real coffee, and we found your site thru Google "crazy caterpillar identify" as a search! Then we watched you film and it was so relaxing and quiet.
ReplyDeleteFound one of these today in Mankato Minnesota! Took a video and many pictures!
ReplyDeleteWe have them here in Alpena Michigan they showed up this year first time I seen a hatch that big!! Do the adults get large??? Are they poisonous ??
ReplyDeleteThis is the first one I've ever seen like this. I'm in Pollock, Louisiana. How common is it to find them this far south.
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