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*** Note: KnowYourInsects.org does its best to include correct identifications of insect photos. It’s always possible that we made a mistake, however, so if you see a misidentification, please contact us and we will correct it. Thanks!
Caterpillars, Pupae and Eggs of Order Lepidoptera (butterflies/moths) — Examples
For adult butterflies, click here.
For adult moths, click here.
| Cossidae | Erebidae | Eupterotidae | Geometridae | Hesperiidae | Lasiocampidae |
| Limacodidae | Lycaenidae | Noctuidae | Notodontidae | Nymphalidae | Papilionidae |
| Pieridae | Psychidae | Saturniidae | Sphingidae | Tineidae | Zygaenidae |
Geometridae, the geometer moths
Blue tiger moth, caterpillar, Dysphania percota, subfamily Geometrinae, family Geometridae. □ The caterpillar of the blue tiger moth has a black-spotted blue stripe down its back and yellow sides. The adult moth is black and silvery-blue. To see the adult, click here (India Biodiversity Portal). Photographed and identified to order by: Sharon Pais Graca Pinto. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Santarbhat, Goltim, Piedade, Divar, Goa, India. Date: 3 September, 2020. |
Four o'clock moth, Dysphania numana, caterpillar, subfamily Geometrinae, family Geometridae. □ The caterpillars of the four o’clock moths are yellow (sometimes greenish) with bilaterally symmetric black spots (the spots on the right and left sides are mirror images of one another). The orange section is its rear end. □ The adult moths are usually seen flying about in the late afternoon, which gives them their common name of four o’clock moths. To see the attractive adults, click here (inaturalist.org). Note: The species name was formerly Dysphania fenestrata. Photographed by: Vanja Gracanin. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Cairns botanical garden in Australia. Date: 30 November, 2023. Vanja says, “There are some cool caterpillars and butterflies!” |
Woolly gray, caterpillar, Lycia ypsilon, subfamily Ennominae, family Geometridae. □ The woolly gray goes through some very different stages as a caterpillar, many of which don a wormy pattern of thin, dark lines along the body. □The adult is brown and gray with a wide, black-edged, whitish band running through the center of each forewing. To see the adult click here (BugGuide). Photographed by: Deb Furlin. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Dunedin, Florida, USA. Date: 24 March, 2022. |
A geometer moth, metamorphosis from caterpillar to pupa to adult, genus Pero, subfamily Ennominae, family Geometridae. □ The photographer found the caterpillar (left) of a geometer moth hanging from the tread of a car tire, and reared it in a small aquarium. In three days, it had metamorphosed into the pupa shown in the center top photo. The pupa darkened the following day (center lower photo), and a few weeks later, it transformed into the adult moth shown at right. This was all captured by photographer Thomas Langhans. Thank you, Thomas! Photographed and identified by: Thomas Langhans. To see the full-size images, click here for the caterpillar, and here for the top-center pupa, here for the darker pupa, and here for the adult. Location: San Bruno, county of San Mateo, California, USA. Dates, all in 2017: 18 August (caterpillar), 21 August (greenish pupa), 22 August (darker pupa) and 12 September (adult). |
Horned spanworm moth, caterpillar, Nematocampa resistaria, subfamily Ennominae, family Geometridae. □ This unusual caterpillar of a horned spanworm moth has four long projections or “horns,” and when it feels threatened, it extends its horns straight out, as seen here. Otherwise, the horns are retracted to about half this size and held in a somewhat-curled position. □ The adult is creamy beige, sometimes more yellow in males, with brown vein-like markings, and usually a broad brown edge, an appearance that looks like a leaf. To see the adult, click here (BugGuide). Photographed and identified to order by: Amanda Barker. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: near London, Ontario, Canada. Date: 15 June, 2020. Amanda says, “Definitely odd-looking creature with horns.” |
Horned spanworm moth, caterpillar, Nematocampa resistaria, subfamily Ennominae, family Geometridae. □ This four “horns,” on this horned spanworm moth, also known as a filament bearer, are retracted a bit, but they can extend much longer. The photographer believes this caterpillar just went through its third molt. See the comment below. Photographed and identified by: Jamie Lew. Location: Unknown. Date: 19 June, 2021. Jamie says, “One of my favorites! A filament bearer found on mountain mahogany, as well as butterfly bush and laurel.” |
Like adult insects, caterpillars have six legs attached to the thorax, but they also have up to 10 additional, nubby, abdominal appendages called prolegs or pseudopods. Inchworms in the family Geometridae have only two pairs of prolegs and they are located at the rear of the abdomen. |
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The inchworm’s family name of Geometridae means earth-measuring, attributed to the caterpillars’ “inching-along” type of locomotion. |
Commmon eupithecia, caterpillar, Eupithecia miserulata, subfamily Larentiinae, family Geometridae. □ This caterpillar of a commmon eupithecia shows the brown markings — similar to the Star Trek insignia! — that run down its body. □ To see the adult, click here (KnowYourInsects.org moth page). Photographed by: Thomas Langhans. See Thomas’s full-size image here. Nicely done, Thomas! Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: San Bruno, county of San Mateo, California, USA. Date: 21 October, 2022. Thomas photographed this caterpillar, which was about 2 cm (0.8 inches) long, on a hairy gumplant (Grindelia hirsutula). |
Commmon eupithecia, Eupithecia miserulata, subfamily Larentiinae, family Geometridae. □ Caterpillars of commmon eupithecia can have a light-beige background color, as seen here, or more green as in the previous photo. Photographed and identified by: Thomas Langhans. Nicely done, Thomas! See Thomas’s full-size image here. Location: San Bruno, county of San Mateo, California, USA. Date: 21 October, 2022. |
A looper, quite possibly the caterpillar of a winter moth, Operophtera brumata, subfamily Larentiinae, family Geometridae. □ Winter moths are invasive species in eastern North America — originally from Europe—, and they are a major pest of many trees, including hardwoods such as oak and maple, and fruit trees. For more information about this species, click here (Mass Audubon). □ To see the adult, click here (KnowYourInsects.org moth page). Photographed and identified to family by: Celia Godwin. Location: eastern Ontario, Canada. Date: 28 May, 2012. |
Wave moth, caterpillar in the genus Traminda, subfamily Sterrhinae, family Geometridae. □ This caterpillar could be one of several species of wave moth (in the genus Traminda) that live in South Africa, where this one was found. It is holding onto the photographer’s finger with its front legs, and holding its abdomen aloft. Photographed and identified to genus by: Cay Hickson. Nicely done, Cay! Location: Umlalazi Nature Reserve in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. Date: 13 January, 2023. |
Cross-line wave moth, caterpillar, Traminda aventiaria, subfamily Sterrhinae, family Geometridae. □ The cross-line wave moth caterpillar has two projections in the middle of the body — they look almost like antennae! Like other members of the Geometridae family, the caterpillars typically rest in a looped position as seen here. □ To see the adult of this moth, click here (iNaturalist). Photographed by: Cody Lai. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Hong Kong. Date: 29 April, 2021. |
Inchworms (also called loopers) walk their front legs as far forward as they can while keeping their hind appendages (called prolegs) anchored tight. Once fully stretched out, they anchor their front feet and inch their hind prolegs up. The center of the body has no appendages, so its body loops upward as the hind legs move forward. |
A geometrid moth, caterpillar/inchworm, in the family Geometridae. □ This inchworm is displaying its typical looping style of movement. Caterpillars in this family (Geometridae) have fewer appendages — six legs up front near the head, and typically four additional appendages called prolegs/pseudopods at the rear, but none in between. Photographed and identified to family by: Joyce Kay. Location: Castlegar British Columbia, Canada. Date: 29 July, 2019. |
A geometrid moth, caterpillar/inchworm, in the family Geometridae. □ Can you spot the inchworm in this photo? Look carefully. It is the upright “stick” to the left of the sloe berry ( Prunus spinosa). When in this straight-up position, the inchworm can hide in plain sight, leaving it well-protected from the view of predators. Kudos to the photographer for spotting it! (See the comment below.) Photographed by: Eleanor Russell. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: East Clare, Ireland. Date: autumn, 2020. Eleanor’s guess was that it was a stick insect, and it is easy to see why. She says, “Extremely well-camouflaged!” |
A geometrid moth, caterpillar/inchworm, in the family Geometridae. □ This inchworm is perched on a (in the genus Citrus) in India. When an inchworm feels threatened, it will often become rigid like this so looks like just another twig. If you recognize the species, please let us know and we will note you as the identifier. Photographed by: Arvind Soni. Location: India. Date: 24 March, 2022. |
A geometrid moth, caterpillar/inchworm, family Geometridae. □ The photographer spotted this inchworm making its way along the stem of a mature blueberry bush (in the genus Vaccinium ) and “when I held it between my thumb and forefinger, it attempted to anchor itself on my thumb, so I put it on a daffodil blade.” Photographed and identified by: Nora Schwab. Location: Fair Oaks, Sacramento County, California, USA. Date: 16 April, 2022. Nora says, “It has a lovely pattern on its body.” |
Zygaenidae, the leaf skeletonizer moths
Noctuidae, the owlet moths
A cutworm in the genus Spodoptera, probably a cotton cutworm, Spodoptera litura, subfamily Noctuinae, family Noctuidae. □ Cutworms gets that name from their penchant for chewing through the base of seedlings. Many a gardener has found a series of limp seedlings strewn about in the garden — all chopped down by cutworms. This may be a cotton cutworm. Photographed by: Surani Pratik. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: India. Date: 18 August, 2016. |
Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, subfamily Noctuinae, family Noctuidae. □ These photos show the mass of tiny, black-headed fall armyworms squirming over a plastic moon ornament in the photographer’s yard — they make the moon look as if it has a 5 o'clock shadow! Check out the photographer’s comment below. Photographed by: Hadassah Coolac. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Vinton, Virginia, USA. Date: 22 August, 2022. Hadassah says, “I noticed a little translucent spot that looked like scotch tape on my plastic decoration outside. A few days later, it hatched and a whole bunch itty-bitty, clear larvae with dark heads are all over the area.” |
Black cutworm/ipsilon dart moth, Agrotis ipsilon, subfamily Noctuinae, family Noctuidae. □ Note the unusual pseudopods (the plump “feet”) on this black cutworm. Some caterpillars in this species are quite dark on the dorsal side (like this one) and others are more of a yellowish-tan. To see the latter, click here (journal article in Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology). □ Note also the defensive posture of this cutworm. Photographed by: Dave Brigham. Identified with help from: entomologist Duke Elsner. Location: Lansing, Michigan, USA. Date: July 2015. |
Angle shades, caterpillar, Phlogophora meticulosa, subfamily Noctuinae, family Noctuidae. □ The angle shades caterpillar is lime green with a white stripe down each side, and is often seen feeding on the leaves of a variety of plants. The adults have excellent camoflague and look like dried leaves. To see the adults, click here (Butterfly Conservation website). Photographed and identified by: Paul Davis. Nicely done, Paul!. Location: UK. Date: January 2022. Paul found this caterpillar in his garden. |
Spanish moth, caterpillar Xanthopastis regnatrix, subfamily Noctuinae, family Noctuidae. □ This caterpillar of a Spanish moth is sometimes called a convict caterpillar, because of black-and-white striped outfits that prisoners used to wear. As an adult, it will be a black, orange and pink moth — to see one, click here (BugGuide.net). Photographed by: Dee Williams. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Arkansas, USA. Date: 7 June, 2024. Dee spotted this caterpillar in her flower bed with some of its favorite foods: spider lily (Amaryllidoideae), amaryllis and narcissus. |
An owlet moth, caterpillar, subfamily Noctuinae, family Noctuidae. □ Identifier David L. Wagner of the University of Connecticut, says this owlet moth caterpillar could be in the genera Agrotis, Feltia or Euxoa, or something similar. He said this caterpillar likely feeds on dandelions and other forbs (forbs are non-grass flowering plants). Photographed by: Thomas Langhans. Identified by: David L. Wagner, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Connecticut. Thank you, Dr. Wagner! See Thomas’s full-size images here and here. Location: San Bruno, county of San Mateo, California, USA. Date: 9 September, 2017. |
 Darker-spotted straw moth, caterpillar, Heliothis phloxiphaga, subfamily Heliothinae, family Noctuidae. □ The caterpillar of a darker-spotted straw moth is usually forest green with wavy streaks of ivory, a “necklace” of small short dark spikes (seen in the closeup of the head)), and more scattered spikes along its back. Frequently, the caterpillar has two pairs of spikes on the dorsal side of each segment (seen in the left photo). □ The photographer also took photos of adults about three weeks earlier. To see them, click here (KnowYourInsects.org moth page). Photographed by: Thomas Langhans. See his original full-size images here and here. Location: San Bruno, county of San Mateo, California, USA. Date: 4 September, 2023. Thomas says this caterpillar was about 2 cm (0.8 inches) in length. It is on a hairy gumplant (Grindelia hirsutula) flower. He adds, “The hole in the flower is where the caterpillar had been eating.” |
An owlet moth, caterpillar, subfamily Heliothinae, family Noctuidae. □ These photos show the side and hind end of this owlet moth caterpillar. Caterpillars in this subfamily (Heliothinae) typically feed on flowers or flower buds. Many species are fond of certain plants. Those that munch on crop plants and make a nuisance of themselves are the most well-studied. The particular species of this caterpillar remains unidentified. Photographed by: Thomas Langhans. To see the full-size images, click here, and click here. Identified to subfamily by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: San Bruno, county of San Mateo, California, USA. Date: 21 October, 2022. Thomas said it was about 2 cm (0.8 inches) long. |
Alfalfa looper, caterpillar, subfamily Plusiinae, family Noctuidae. □ This caterpillar of an alfalfa looper moth was photographed on the leaf of a sunflower, which is a favored food of this species. □ It is very similar in appearance to the caterpillar of a cabbage looper moth (Trichoplusia ni), but the alfalfa looper is the more common species in the geographic area where this photo was taken. In addition, the cabbage looper has a pair of small protrusions on the ventral (bottom) side of abdominal segments 3 and 4 (in front of the fleshy prolegs) and those protrusions appear to be absent in this caterpillar. Photographed by: Thomas Langhans. To see the full-size images, click here, and click here. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: San Bruno, county of San Mateo, California, USA. Date: 16 June, 2023. Thomas said it was about 3 cm (1.2 inches) long. |
Palm flower moth, caterpillar, Litoprosopus coachella, subfamily Dyopsinae, family Noctuidae. □ This palm flower moth caterpillar is pretty in pink, and is fond of palms. The adult moth is a silver to silvery-yellow color with doubled black eyespot on each hindwing. To see the adult, click here (BugGuide). Photographed by: Hilary Barton. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Arizona, USA. Date: 17 May, 2019. |
Old World bollworm, caterpillar, Helicoverpa armigera, subfamily Dyopsinae, family Noctuidae. □ The Old World bollworm is considered a pest almost around the world. The caterpillar’s diet includes a variety of economically important crops, such as “cotton, pigeonpea, chickpea, sunflower, corn, chili, tomato, and okra,” according to an article in the journal Environmental Entomology. For this reason, it sometimes goes by the alternate common names of cotton bollworm or corn earworm. This one was on a pink rose. Photographed and identified by: Shefali Chaudhari. Nice job, Shefali! Location: Gujarat, India. Date: 13 July, 2020. |
Iris borer moth, caterpillar, Macronoctua onusta, subfamily Acronictinae, family Noctuidae. □ This iris borer moth caterpillar is sitting on the gardener/photographer’s hand (top photo). It was removed from inside the rhizome (the root-like structure) of an iris (right photo). See the photographer’s comment below. □ The caterpillar is far more colorful than the adult. To see the adult, click here (website of the Butterflies and Moths of North America). Photographed and identified by: Kyle Lengerich. Nicely done, Kyle! Location: Greenwood, Indiana, USA. Date: 24 July, 2018. Kyle says, “Found this guy while thinning iris just now.... Now I have to go back and check all the rhizomes I’ve already pulled out.” |
American dagger moth, caterpillar, Acronicta americana, subfamily Acronictinae, family Noctuidae. □ The caterpillar of the American dagger moth is covered with long yellow setae (insect “hairs”). The caterpillar also has a pair of longer black tufts of stiffer setae toward the head, another pair of tufts toward its middle, and one more long black tuft at the rear. Touching this caterpillar can cause stinging/burning/itching, so it is best not to handle them. Photographed by: Jeffrey Landis. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA. Date: 5 June, 2013. |
American dagger moth, caterpillar, Acronicta americana, subfamily Acronictinae, family Noctuidae. □ Compared to this caterpillar of the American dagger moth, the adult of the species has a much more subtle coloration in shades of beige-gray. To see the adult, click here (BugGuide). □ This species was first described by American entomologist Thaddeus W. Harris in 1841. It is a rather large moth with a wingspan of 2 inches (5 cm) or more and is widespread in the eastern United States, but also extends west to the Pacific Northwest and north into southern Canada. Photographed and identified to order by: Kim Thiel. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Dickinson, North Dakota, USA. Date: 12 September, 2020. |
American dagger moth, caterpillar, Acronicta americana, subfamily Acronictinae, family Noctuidae. □ The American dagger moth caterpillar looks similar to that of the spotted apatelodes, but the latter has a row of short black setae (insect “hairs”) down its back, whereas the American dagger caterpillar has a few long black setae (as seen here). Photographed and identified to family by: Peg Hill-Callahan. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Kensington Metropark, Milford, Michigan, USA. Date: 5 September, 2020. |
Knot grass moth, Acronicta rumicis, subfamily Acronictinae, family Noctuidae. □ The caterpillar of a knot grass moth may have a black, brown or blue body, along with beige tufts of hair/setae, white elongate markings and spots, and red spots. Some have thin red bands as well. To see the adult and its variations, click here (NatureSpot.org). □ The caterpillars not only eat the leaves of knot grass (Polygonum aviculare), but also other plants. See the comment below. Photographed by: Alice Mole. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Dorset, UK. Date: 9 October, 2024. Alice says this caterpillar was “busy eating my geranium leaf in the greenhouse.” |
Lantana stick moth, caterpillar, Neogalea sunia, subfamily Oncocnemidinae, family Noctuidae. □ The caterpillar of the lantana stick moth has a subdued wavy pattern. The adult has silvery brown forewings, and pearly white hindwings. To see the adult, click here (North American Moth Photographers Group). □ In identification, it is often helpful to make note of what plant a caterpillar is eating (see the comment below). Photographed and identified by: Lauren DeRosa. Nicely done, Lauren! Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Date: 14 May, 2020. Lauren spotted this caterpillar on a branch of common lantana (Lantana camara). |
Lantana stick moth, caterpillar, Neogalea sunia, subfamily Oncocnemidinae, family Noctuidae. □ The lantana stick moth caterpillar feeds on plants in the genus Lantana, which can reduce flowering. A 2010 study offered gardeners a helpful hint: These caterpillars are less likely to attack lantanas with flowers that are purple, white and red/yellow than those lantanas with flowers of other colors. Photographed and identified by: Julie Brockman. Nicely done, Julie! Location: Georgetown, Texas, USA. Date: 20 May, 2023. Julie found this caterpillar on a lantana in her yard. |
Lily moth, caterpillars, Polytela gloriosae, subfamily Hadeninae, family Noctuidae. □ The caterpillar of the lily moth (sometimes called the Indian Lily Moth) is covered with bright orange-red and white markings, a stark contrast to the black background color. The caterpillars do eat lilies, including the poisonous flame lily (Gloriosa superba), which is sometimes used in traditional medicine. The adult Lily Moth is a gorgeous blue-gray moth embellished with patches of pink, yellow, white and black. To see the adult, click here. Photographed by: P. M. Harisha. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Palakkad, Kerala, India. Date: 19 April, 2020. |
Lily moth, caterpillars, Polytela gloriosae, subfamily Hadeninae, family Noctuidae. □ This pretty black, orange and white lily moth caterpillar will become a colorful blue-gray adult with pink, black, yellow and cream markings. To see the photos of adult and caterpillars, click here. Photographed by: Priyadarshini Agrawal. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Date: 15 October, 2019. |
Noctuid moth, pupa, family Noctuidae. □ The photographer had this “unexpected guest in the parsley.” He hoped to rear this black-and-yellow noctuid moth pupa to see which species it would become. Photographed by: Seskef De Rishton. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Tours, France. Date: 11 October, 2024. |
Saturniidae, the saturniid moths
Luna moth, caterpillar, Actias luna, subfamily Saturniinae, family Saturniidae. □ The caterpillars of the luna moth and polyphemus moth look very similar. The most noticeable difference between the two is that the polyphemus moth caterpillar has a large gray “X” on its rear end, and the luna moth caterpillar does not. To see the adult luna and polyphemus moths, which look nothing alike, click here (KnowYourInsects.org moth page). Photographed and identified by: Norine Nichols. Well done, Norine! Location: Sterling Heights, Michigan, USA. Date: 21 July, 2016. Norine says, “It is huge and was sure moving at a good speed across the lawn.” |
Luna moth, caterpillar, Actias luna, subfamily Saturniinae, family Saturniidae. □ The luna moth caterpillar almost looks like its head is poking out of green turtleneck or a child’s green fun tunnel. Photographed by: Dawn Jenkins. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Houston area, Texas, USA. Date: 12 July, 2017. |
Luna moth, caterpillar, Actias luna, subfamily Saturniinae, family Saturniidae. □ This luna moth caterpillar is pictured here from the rear end. This caterpillar will sometimes take on a peach hue as it prepares to pupate. Luna moth caterpillars have a characteristic accordion-shaped body, which is covered by short setae (insect “hairs”) (very evident in this photo). A similar peach-colored caterpillar is that of the imperial moth (Eacles imperialis), but the imperial moth caterpillar has four “horns” behind its head and the photographer saw no such horns on the pictured caterpillar. Photographed and identified to order by: Cindy Cravens. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Date: 2 September, 2019. |
Luna moth, pupa to adult, Actias luna, subfamily Saturniinae, family Saturniidae. □ This luna moth has just emerged from its pupa, and its wings are beginning to pump up and unfurl. It offers a nice view of the striped abdomen. To see the adult in all its glory, click here (KnowYourInsects.org moth page). Photographed by: Melissa Blankenship. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Thomasville, North Carolina, USA. Date: 12 April, 2020. |
Polyphemus moth, cocoon and adult female, Antheraea polyphemus, subfamily Saturniinae, family Saturniidae. □ The photographer got a picture of this cocoon, and kept tabs on it until the adult polyphemus moth emerged, waiting to get the photo until the adult’s wings were completely unfurled. This is a female polyphemus: Her antennae are much less plumose than the male. Click on the photo to zoom in on the adult and see the antennae. □ To learn more about this gorgeous moth, click here (University of Florida “Featured Creatures” webpage. Photographed and identified by: Robert E. Carpenter. Nicely done, Robert! Robert has a slow-motion nature video posted here. Location: Kerrville, Texas, USA. Date: 12 May, 2020. |
Polyphemus moth, caterpillar, Anthera polyphemus, subfamily Saturniinae, family Saturniidae. □ The caterpillar of the polyphemus moth has lots of bristles on its head, rather like a scraggly beard (see the close-up at right). This sets it apart from the similar-looking luna moth caterpillar, which has only a few fine bristles on its head. Photographed by: Samantha Burns. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Callahan, Florida, USA. Date: 31 July, 2021. |
Cocoon, either polyphemus moth, Anthera polyphemus, or luna moth, Actias luna, subfamily Saturniinae, family Saturniidae. □ The cocoon of the polyphemus moth and luna moth are both large (see the comment below) and wrapped in silk, often with leaves wrapped in with them. This could be either species. Photographed by: Nancy Coman. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Temperance, Michigan, USA. Date: 24 June, 2019. Nancy says, “It is approximately 4-5 inches long and 2-2.5 inches wide. It looks like it has a web on each end.” |
□ A cocoon is not the same as a pupa. The cocoon is a silken case that surrounds the pupa inside (chrysalis is another word for a butterfly pupa). A moth makes a cocoon around the pupa; butterflies do not make cocoons (their pupae remain uncovered). |
Cabbage tree emperor moth, caterpillar, Bunaea alcinoea, subfamily Saturniinae, family Saturniidae. □ The cabbage tree emperor moth caterpillar is one of the few truly black caterpillars. With the white spines and red/orange-red spiracles (air holes), it is certainly an attention-getter. To see the adult cabbage tree emperor moth, click here (inaturalist.org). Photographed by: Francis Mwangi. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Not indicated, but this species is found in central to southern Africa. Date: 31 December, 2019. |
Cecropia moth, caterpillar, Hyalophora cecropia, subfamily Saturniinae, family Saturniidae. □ This cecropia moth caterpillar is in its fifth and last instar (stage) before it pupates. The fifth-instar caterpillar is not only very beautiful, but can also be quite large — more than 4 inches (10 cm) long. To see the adult cecropia moth, click here (KnowYourInsects.org moth page). Photographed and identified by: Robert E. Carpenter. Nicely done, Robert! Robert has a slow-motion nature video posted here. Location: Guadalupe River, Kerrville, Texas, USA. Date: 26 May, 2017. Robert spotted this caterpillar on an elderberry bush (in the genus Sambucus). He says, “Awesome beauty for such a humble creature.” |
Cecropia moth, caterpillar, Hyalophora cecropia, subfamily Saturniinae, family Saturniidae. □ This cecropia moth caterpillar is in its fourth instar (caterpillar stage). This is its most flamboyantly colored stage: it has spiny protrusions in red, yellow and blue. Photographed and identified by: Mark Andersen. Location: Central Minnesota, USA. Date: 7 September, 2021. |
Cecropia moth, cocoon, possibly cecropia moth, Hyalophora cecropia, subfamily Saturniinae, family Saturniidae. □ This large cocoon could be that of a cecropia moth. The cecropia moth has a brown pupa, which is inside the silken cocoon. This moth has already emerged, but the shell of the pupa may still be inside the thin cocoon. Photographed by: Isolina Norris. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: San Antonio, Texas, USA. Date: 24 June, 2021. Isolina says, “It is about 2 inches long by 1.25 inches wide. It is hard, feels like a paint canvas.” |
Elegant sheep moth, caterpillar, Hemileuca eglanterina, subfamily Hemileucinae, family Saturniidae. □ This caterpillar of an elegant sheep moth is covered in bursts of black-centered yellow, set off against a blue-gray background. Some individuals have all-orange spikes, or a background color that includes bands of red. □ The adults are also quite lovely in orange and black. To see an adult, click here (Knowyourinsects.org moth page). Photographed by: Mindy Smith. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Southern British Columbia, Canada. Date: 17 July, 2023. Mindy says, “I am mostly a birder, but am trying each year to learn more of the insects around me.” Go, Mindy! |
Giant silk moth, caterpillars, Arsenura armida, subfamily Arsenurinae, family Saturniidae. □ Caterpillars of the giant silk moth release a pheromone that causes them to group together (as seen here). Photographed by: Liliane de Deus. Identified by: Dr. Manoel Martins Dias Filho. Our thanks also to Marcelo Renan Santos for acting as liaison! Location: Atlantic Forest at Linhares, Espirito Santo, Brazil. Date: 15 November, 2016. Marcelo says this shot was taken in a cocoa plantation. |
Orange-tipped oakworm moth, caterpillar, Anisota senatoria, subfamily Ceratocampinae, family Saturniidae. □ The orange-tipped oakworm moth, sometimes called an orange-striped oakworm moth, has caterpillars that look almost identical to those of two other species called Peigler’s oakworm moth (Anisota peigleri) and Finlayson’s oakworm moth (Anisota finlaysoni). Only the orange-tipped is typically found in Massachusetts, where this photo was taken. □ The adult is tan to orange with a little white dot on each forewing. To see the adult, click here (BugGuide). Photographed by: Bob Bourque. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA. Date: 1 September, 2021. Bob says, “I noticed when I got the little fella on the stick a defensive needle popped out of one end.” |
Orange-tipped oakworm moth, Anisota senatoria, subfamily Ceratocampinae, family Saturniidae. □ With orange stripes on a black background, the caterpillar of the orange-tipped oakworm moth stands out against the leaves of oak trees (Quercus), which serve as its food. □ To see the pink- and peach-colored adult, click here (Bugguide.net). Photographed by: Hilary Barton. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Morgan County, Tennessee, USA. Date: 30 August, 2024. Hilary says it was outside her front door. |
The common names of many moths come from the caterpillars and their diets. Oslar’s oakworm moth, for instance, is derived from its caterpillar (the “worm” part of the name) and its primary diet: the leaves of oak trees. |
Oslar’s oakworm moth, caterpillar, Anisota oslari, subfamily Ceratocampinae, family Saturniidae. □ As they get older, caterpillars of the Oslar’s oakworm moth change from yellow to deep orange-red (as seen here). The caterpillar’s body is covered with small black spikes, and it has two larger black projections, called horns, behind the head. To see what it looks like as an adult, click here (BugGuide). Photographed by: Ellen Goldberg. Location: Edgewood, New Mexico, USA. Date: 19 September, 2022. Ellen says, “Found this little feller crawling in my kitchen…. I put him outside in my milkweed bush.” |
Hickory horned devil, caterpillar of a Regal Moth, Citheronia regalis, subfamily Ceratocampinae, family Saturniidae. □ This caterpillar has a great name: hickory horned devil. Its name comes from the grouping of red and black, fleshy, horn-like tubercles called scoli, and the hickory part comes from the caterpillar’s preference for pignut hickory trees (Carya glabra). It usually remains unseen up in the trees, but wanders down to the ground to find some soft soil where it can burrow and pupate. See the photographer’s comment below. For a view of the adult, click here (Knowyourinsects.org moth page). Photographed by: Molly Iorio. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Lumberville, Pennsylvania, USA. Date: 13 September, 2019. Molly says, “Never seen anything like this bug, it was about 6 inches long.” That’s 15 cm! |
Greek mythology is often used in the common names of insects. The io moth (Automeris metzli), for example, is named for Io, one of many mortal mistresses of Zeus, the god of the sky. Things did not turn out well for Io: Zeus turned her into a cow to hide her from his wife Hera. |
Io moth, caterpillar, Automeris metzli, subfamily Ceratocampinae, family Saturniidae. □ The caterpillars of the io moth and other species in this genus (Automeris) are known as stinging caterpillars, because they are covered with spines that do indeed sting. Some people have quite a bad reaction to the caterpillars, so it is best not to handle them. To see the adult io moth, click here (iNaturalist). Photographed by: Denise A. Frank. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Punta Gorda Town, Belize, Central America. Date: 30 July, 2018. Denise found this one on her porch. She says, “Known to give a nasty sting. (The prettier they are, the nastier the sting!)” |
Io moth, caterpillar, Automeris metzli, subfamily Ceratocampinae, family Saturniidae. □ The caterpillars of several species in this genus (Automeris) look much alike. This side view of what is likely an io moth has a wide, white, side stripe with thin black/dark red piping. This photo shows four fleshy appendages, called prolegs or pseudopods, on the side — notice the tiny spines on the prolegs, which help the caterpillar secure itself to the surface. Photographed and identified by: Leah Miller. Location: Belmopan, Belize, Central America. Date: 25 April, 2022. |
Imperial moth, caterpillar, Eacles imperialis, subfamily Ceratocampinae, family Saturniidae. □ As the imperial moth caterpillar develops through its five stages, called instars, its appearance goes through considerable change. The first instar is covered with branched spines, while the fifth instar (shown above) has no branched spines, but instead has four short horns behind its head, visible at upper left. □ To see the full range of caterpillar instars, click here (University of Florida “Featured Creatures”). Photographed and identified by: Dana Moore. Nicely done, Dana! Location: Douglasville, Georgia, USA. Date: 15 September, 2024. |
Moth pupa, possibly the imperial moth, Eacles imperialis, subfamily Ceratocampinae, family Saturniidae. □ This may be a pupa of an imperial moth. To see the adult imperial moth, click here. The pupa of a moth in the silkworm moth family looks very similar to that of a moth in another family: the sphinx moths (Sphingidae). A major difference between the two is that a sphinx moth has a noticeable handle, while the silkworm moth does not. To see an image of a sphinx moth pupa with the handle, click here (BugGuide). Photographed by: Vicki Barnes. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Independence, Missouri, USA. Date: 10 March, 2018. Vicki says, “I found this creature yesterday in my yard in northwest Missouri. At first, I thought it was some type of cocoon, but it moved freely when I picked it up, and then I noticed the tiny double prongs on one end, with a possible minuscule opening underneath.” |
□ Would you like a list of all the butterfly/moth families in one handy place? We made one for you! To see it, click here. |
Limacodidae, the slug moths or cup moths
Saddleback, caterpillar, Acharia stimulea (formerly Sibene stimulea), subfamily Limacodinae, family Limacodidae. □ The adult of the saddleback caterpillar is much more muted than the caterpillar, and has gray, brown and rust hues. To see the adult, click here (North American Moth Photographers Group). Photographed by: S. Statham. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Andrews, North Carolina, USA. Date: August, 2015. |
Saddleback, caterpillar, Acharia stimulea (formerly Sibene stimulea), subfamily Limacodinae, family Limacodidae. □ The saddleback caterpillar is aptly named with the large and bright-green saddle on its back. The bright colors serve as a warning sign for potential predators (and humans, too): it has dozens of stinging spines on its large horns as well as other areas of its body. Photographed by: Lyle Sloane. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Ashland, Kentucky, USA. Date: 28 September, 2017. Lyle says this caterpillar was stuck to the glass of his back door “with some kind of suction.” |
Spiny oak-slug moth, caterpillar, Euclea delphinii (formerly Sibene stimulea), subfamily Limacodinae, family Limacodidae. □ The attractive patchwork spiny oak-slug moth caterpillar has spine-covered protrusions along its back and sides. The adult moth is brown with neon-green patches on its wings, as seen here (BugGuide). Photographed by: Laura Saaf. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Houghton Lake, Michigan, USA. Date: 19 August, 2020. |
Stinging rose, caterpillar, Parasa indetermina, subfamily Limacodinae, family Limacodidae. □ With the protection of its many bristle-covered spines, this stinging rose caterpillar can afford to show off with this bright yellow color and doubled purple stripes. Often, this species also has a great deal of red on its body. See the other stinging rose caterpillar on this page. Photographed and identified by: Anne Guelker. Location: Missouri Ozarks, Missouri. Date: 24 September, 2021. |
Stinging rose caterpillar, Parasa indetermina, subfamily Limacodinae, family Limacodidae. □ Not a surprise, the stinging rose caterpillar is often found nipping at rosebush leaves, but it will also eat the leaves a variety of trees, including apples, maples and oaks. This photo appears to show two caterpillars: one considerably larger (and likely older) than the other. □ To see the less dramatic but still beautiful adult, click here (Idaho Fish and Game). Photographed and identified by: Gail Rowley, Ozark Stream Photography. Nicely done, Gail! Location: near Shadehill Dam, South Dakota, USA. Date: 13 July, 2022. Gail says the large caterpillar had a length of 1/2-3/4 inches (1.3-1.9 cm). She found both on a blueberry bush. |
Hairy and spiny caterpillars are best left untouched. The setae (insect “hairs”) and spines are quills that can cause sometimes-considerable skin irritation. |
Monkey slug, caterpillar, Phobetron pithecium, subfamily Limacodinae, family Limacodidae. □ This unusual-looking monkey slug caterpillar will eventually become a hag moth, which is a pretty, brown, patterned moth with a white poof of fuzz on its middle leg. Photographed by: Partha Bagchi. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Partha took this photo on his deck. Location: Centreville, near Wilmington, Delaware, USA. Date: 5 September, 2016. |
Monkey slug, caterpillar, Phobetron pithecium,, subfamily Limacodinae, family Limacodidae. □ The monkey slug caterpillar’s body has six long curling projections or “arms.” It may look like it is covered in soft setae (insect “hairs”), but each of the setae are stinging quills that can cause a skin reaction in some people. Photographed by: Cliff Rohrabacher. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Hunterdon County, New Jersey, USA. Date: late August, 2018. Cliff found it climbing a truck tire. He described this caterpillar as having locomotion like a slug, a bright-yellow underbody, grub-like mandibles, and brown and gray camouflage that looked like tree bark. |
Crowned slug, caterpillar, Isa textula, subfamily Limocodinae, family Limacodidae. □ The crowned slug is a beautiful lime-green caterpillar with intricate, frilly projections all around its body. Those projections are stinging spines, however, so it is best to observe this caterpillar by watching and not by touching! Photographed by: Wayne Johnson. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Greenfield, New Hampshire, USA. Date: 2 September, 2019. Wayne says, “We saw this tonight on our car.... We have never seen anything like it!” |
Crowned slug, caterpillar, Isa textula, subfamily Limacodinae family Limacodidae. □ The head of this crowned slug caterpillar is retractable and is located beneath the two small dark-outlined “horns” (not visible in this photo). The caterpillar moves with kind of a rolling gait (a nice video of it is available here.) □ The adult is called either a crowned slug moth or a skiff moth. To see what it looks like as an adult, click here (North Carolina State University). Photographed by: Nicole Johnson. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: northern Georgia, USA. Date: 2 August, 2019. Nicole says, “Glad I didn’t touch — I just read it stings! ;-)” |
Slug caterpillar in the genus Cheromettia, family Limacodidae. □ From the top and side, this slug caterpillar looks much like an oval egg, but the bottom view (lower right photo) reveals it as a caterpillar. Adults are hairy, brown to reddish moths that often sit with their abdomens held curled upward. To see an adult, click here (MothsOfIndia.org). Photographed and identified as a slug caterpillar by: Surabhika Panda. Identified to genus by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Gunupur, Odisha, India. Date: 25 August, 2020. Surabhika found this caterpillar on a banana plant. |
A stinging nettle caterpillar, family Limacodidae. □ Stinging nettle caterpillars is the common name given to caterpillars in the Limacodidae family found in India. The exact species is unknown. Photographed and identified to order by: Shefali Chaudhari. Identified to family by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Malotha, Tapi district in Gujarat, India. Date: 10 December, 2018. |
A slug caterpillar in the genus Tortricidia, subfamily Limacodinae, family Limacodidae. □ This slug caterpillar is likely one of three species: the red-crossed button slug moth (Tortricidia pallid), the early button slug moth (Tortricidia testacea), or the abbreviated button slug moth (Tortricidia flexuosa). Photographed by: Julie Baldwin. Identified by: entomologist Duke Elsner. Thank you, Dr. Elsner! Location: near Lansing, Michigan, USA. Date: 26 July, 2017. Julie found this half-inch-long caterpillar at a campground. Dr. Elsner says, “Cool find.” |
Notodontidae, the prominent moths
Pine processionary, caterpillars, Thaumetopoea pityocampa, subfamily Thaumetopoeinae, family Notodontidae (the prominent moths). □ Pine processionary caterpillars have the very unusual behavior shown in this photo: They travel head-to-tail in a procession to get to their host trees and to pupation sites (see the photographer’s comment below). The caterpillars are covered with urticating setae (stinging hairs), which protect them from potential predators. To find out more and to take a look at the adult, click here (Monaco Nature Encyclopedia). Photographed by: Yanni Petropoulos. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: southwestern Greece. Date: February 2021. Yanni watched hundreds in a row, and says he typically sees them coming down from pine trees in warmer seasons later in the year, “but that day it was a warm February day.” |
Red-humped oakworm, Symmerista canicosta, subfamily Nystaleinae, family Notodontidae. □ The red-humped oakworm is named for the brightly colored caterpillar. It has large orange vertex (the two large lobes on the head); an abdomen with yellow stripes, black-and-white broken stripes, and red markings; and an orange-yellow to orange-red hump near the rear. Caterpillars of the white-headed prominent (Symmerista albifrons) look almost identical, but this one was found in Pennsylvania and although white-headed prominents can reach Pennsylvania, they are more common farther south. To see the white-headed prominent caterpillar, click here (North American Moth Photographers Group). □ As an adult, it is gray and brown with a white outer stripe on each forewing. To see the adult, click here (BugGuide). Photographed and identified by: Michael Williams. Nicely done, Mike! Location: Pennsylvania, USA. Date: 5 July, 2022. Mike says, “It was just over 1 inch (2.5 cm) long.” |
White-blotched heterocampa, caterpillar, Heterocampa umbrata, subfamily Heterocampinae, family Notodontidae (the prominent moths). □ The hot-pink color of the caterpillar of the white-blotched heterocampa fades as it grows, and instead develops a lovely pattern (see adjacent photo). This caterpillar feeds on oak leaves. Photographed by: Daiana Rodriguez. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Prince Frederick, Maryland, USA. Date: September 2016. |
White-blotched heterocampa, caterpillar, Heterocampa umbrata, subfamily Heterocampinae, family Notodontidae (the prominent moths). □ This stage of the white-blotched heterocampa caterpillar has a pink and brown back with pale green and tan sides. An interesting feature is the pair of dark-red knobs on its head. When the caterpillars are newly hatched, these knobs look more like antlers, but as the caterpillar goes through its stages (instars), they decrease in size until only the knobs are left. To see one with its antlers, as well as the adult, click here (Maryland Biodiversity Project website). Photographed by: Deborah Dudas. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, USA. Date: 31 July, 2021. |
Puss moth, caterpillar, Cerura vinula, subfamily Notodontinae, family Notodontidae (the prominent moths). □ The puss moth caterpillar turns the purplish color (shown here) right before it transforms into a pupa. Earlier in its development, the sides of the caterpillar are lime green. To see the lovely swirl-marked adult of this species, click here (UKMoths.org). Photographed by: Joanne Leach. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Salford, England, UK. Date: 9 July, 2018. Joanne found this caterpillar “on a path near the river.” |
Smeared dagger moth, caterpillar, Acronicta oblinita, subfamily Acronictinae, family Notodontidae. □ This young caterpillar of a smeared dagger moth has white tufts of spines. As it gets older and goes through its next instars (caterpillar phases), the spines will become more yellowish with dark-red blotches at the base. □ Compared to the caterpillar, the adult is a rather bland beige or gray, as seen here (BugGuide). Photographed by: Maddie Peters. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Point Pelee National Park, Leamington, Ontario, Canada. Date: 29 June, 2022. |
Heterocampa pulverea, caterpillar, subfamily Heterocampinae, family Notodontidae (the prominent moths). □ The moody red, gray, and blue-purple swirling colors give the caterpillar of Heterocampa pulverea an understated beauty. The caterpillar of this and other species in this genus can be quite variable, sometimes with a light green or gray-green background color, and with differing amounts and patterns of red. □ This heterocampa moth was once considered a subspecies of the white-blotched heterocampa, pictured elsewhere on this page, but has since been elevated to species status. Photographed by: Arlene Romaine. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Oakland, New Jersey, USA. Date: 18 August, 2022. Arlene found this caterpillar in the woods. |
Buff-tip moth, caterpillars, Phalera bucephala, subfamily Phalerinae, family Notodontidae. □ These are young buff-tip young caterpillars; the next entry shows was they look like once they get a bit older. These caterpillars live in groups, as seen here, and will eat the leaves of many different trees, especially birch trees, sometimes leaving whole branches bare. Since buff-tips are late-season caterpillars, however, the trees have already done most of their photosynthesis for the year, so the trees do not typically sustain much damage. Photographed and identified to order by: Spencer Christian. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Worthing, England, UK. Date: 16 July, 2021. Spencer says, “I found these caterpillars huddled together under the leaf of a Ribes plant”. (Ribes is the genus for currants and related plants). |
Buff-tip moth, caterpillar, Phalera bucephala, subfamily Phalerinae, family Notodontidae. □ This photos give a nice view of the yellow "Y" on the otherwise black head of this buff-tip caterpillar. The Y appears as the caterpillar gets older. The photo also shows the caterpillar’s defensive posture. □ To see the adult, eggs and different stages of the caterpillar, click here (Lepidoptera and Their Ecology website). Photographed by: Eleanor Russell. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: East Clare, Ireland, UK. Date: 19 August, 2022. |
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Tineidae, the fungus moths or tineid moths
Household casebearer in the genus Phereoeca, likely Phereoeca uterella, subfamily Tineinae, family Tineidae. □ The larva of a household casebearer is peeking out of the case it constructed using its silk along with other materials from its surroundings. See the fun comment below. Photographed by: Carole Parrish. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Cape Coral, Florida, USA. Date: 19 April, 2020. Upon learning it was a moth larva, Carole said, “It’s a relief that this is not something sinister that burrows in your skin while you are sleeping.” KnowYourInsects.org says, “Sorry, no horror-story material here! ;-)” |
Household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella, subfamily Hapalomantinae, family Tineidae. □ The photographer found this household casebearer climbing up a wall “very slowly” with its head projecting. To learn more about casebearers and to see a photo of the adult, click here (University of Florida “Featured Creatures” website). Photographed by: Robert Armour. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Uganda. Date: 15 September, 2024. |
Household casebearer, also known as a plaster bagworm, either Phereoeca uterella or Phereoeca allutella, subfamily Tineinae, family Tineidae. □ See the fun comment below about this household casebearer below. Photographed by: Boc Villamor. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Date: 28 January, 2017. Boc says, “I’m not actually sure if this is an insect or an alien creature from Saturn. I often see these on the upper part of walls in my house and sometimes on the ceiling (near a wall) and for the longest time ... I thought these were lizard poop. To my surprise this morning, I saw one inching its way up!” |
Moth caterpillars, such as bagworms, produce liquid silk from glands near the mouth. Various things stick to the silk, which hardens quickly. The resulting cases or bags may look like hardened plaster or be covered with sticks, sand, or other materials. |
Cossidae, the carpenter and leopard moths
Goat moth, also known as a carpenter moth, caterpillar, Cossus cossus, family Cossidae. □ This carpenter moth caterpillar is a big one — if it were straightened out, it would be about 9 cm (nearly 4 inches) long. Other common names for this species include wood borer, willow borer and timber borer, which refer to the caterpillar’s penchant for boring into all sorts of deciduous trees. The caterpillar can live up to five years before finally becoming an adult. Photographed and identified by: Vanhoutte Olivier. Nicely done, Vanhoutte! Location: Belgium near Ghent. Date: 3 March, 2020. Vanhoutte found this big caterpillar in the soil. |
Goat moth, caterpillar, Cossus cossus, subfamily Cossinae, family Cossidae. □ Goat moth caterpillars range in overall color from fuschia, as seen here, to a deep red that is nearly black. The head (shown at left) is black, and the sides are yellow. □ This moth is listed as a priority species (scarce, threatened and declining) by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Photographed by: Carolyn Belson. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: New Forest, UK. Date: 10 May, 2024. |
□ The adult goat moth is large with a wingspan of nearly 10 cm (4 inches). Once it becomes an adult, the moth only lives a few days, just enough time for mating and laying eggs. To see the adult, click here (Woodland Trust). |
Carpenterworm moth, exuviae, Prionoxystus robiniae, family Cossidae. □ This is the shed casing (called an exuviae) from the pupa of a carpenterworm moth. The pupa can be as much as 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) long. The adult moth is also quite large with a body that is more than an inch long, and a wingspan of 3 inches (7.5 cm). Photographed by: Mike Hohenshell. Submitted by: Cara Brimmer. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Williamsburg, Iowa, USA. Date: 13 July, 2019. |
□ To see the adult carpenterworm moth and the web-like, gray to green pattern on its wings, click here (BugGuide). |
Wood leopard moth, Zeuzera pyrina, subfamily Zeuzerinae, family Cossidae. □ Wood leopard moth caterpillars bore into a variety of hardwood trees, fruit trees and shrubs, and feed inside the twigs. They can be numerous (see the comment below). As they get older (and larger), the stripe down the back fades and eventually disappears. To see the adult, click here (KnowYourInsects.org moth page). Photographed by: Basel Ismail. Identified by: KnowourInsects.org. Location: the Mediterranean island of Corsica. Date: 18 September, 2022. Basel says these caterpillars invaded his terrace. He says, “At times we had a hundred at a time, always early morning and, oh boy, they moved fast and they climbed vertically, too.” |
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Lasiocampidae, the tent caterpillars, lappet moths, eggars, and snout moths
Drinker caterpillar, Euthrix potatoria, family Lasiocampidae. □ This drinker caterpillar has some amazing patterns on its vertex (the lobes covering most of its head)! The “drinker” part of its name comes from its affinity for sipping little dewdrops. As an adult, it is a beige moth with thin brown stripes on its wings. To see the adult, click here (NatureSpot.org). Photographed and identified by: Bryan Wenham-Baker. Well done on the ID, Bryan! Location: Ivybridge, South Hams, South Devon, England, UK. Date: 21 June, 2019. |
Moth eggs, family Pentatomidae. □ Insect eggs can sometimes be identified by shape, but the best method is to watch them being laid and identify the adult. In this case, the photographer was able to find a photo match to identify these as lasiocampid moth eggs. Photographed and identified by: Saipixels. To see Saipixel’s collection of insect photos, click here. Location: VIT-AP University campus, near Vijayawada, India. Date: 26 February, 2022. |
Psychidae, the bagworm moths
Hairy sweep, caterpillar, Canephora hirsuta, subfamily Oiketicinae, family Psychidae. □ The hairy sweep caterpillar makes this shelter for itself by spinning silk around bits of leaves, and remains inside until it is ready to pupate and become an adult. To see the adult, which is sometimes called a spirit moth, click here (inaturalist.org). Photographed by: Yanni Petropoulos. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: mainland of southwestern Greece. Date: 30 April, 2020. |
A bagworm moth, caterpillar, family Psychidae. □ This family (Psychidae) includes about a thousand species. All have larvae that make and live inside bags made of bits of leaves, twigs or other materials, and held together with silk. The bags are sometimes attached to the walls of houses, as seen here. Photographed and identified by: Carlos Castoro. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Date: 17 November, 2019. |
A bagworm, caterpillar, family Psychidae. □ The photographer spotted this bagworm stuck to an iron railing. One photo shows the stick-and-silk bag, and the other shows the caterpillar’s head poking out. See the photographer’s description below. Photographed and identified by: Sri Charan. Location: Telangana, India. Date: 2 October, 2020. Sri says, “The bag with sticks is really wonderful. It helps protect the caterpillar from wind, water and sun. The bag, on which sticks are attached, is like leather in texture.” |
Sphingidae, the hawk moths
Oleander hawk moth, caterpillar, Daphnis nerii, subfamily Macroglossinae, family Sphingidae. □ The oleander hawk moth caterpillar goes through several stages before it pupates. In this stage, it is dark with white speckles along the sides, and orange at either end. It retains the small rear extension (upper left), known as a horn, from one stage to another. Photographed and identified as a moth caterpillar by: Ahana. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Date: 3 November, 2020. Ahana found this in the garden. |
A hawk moth, caterpillar, probably oleander hawk moth, Daphnis nerii, subfamily Macroglossinae, family Sphingidae. □ Another stage of the oleander hawk moth’s life as a caterpillar is green with a broad, white side stripe flanked by white speckles, and a small curved horn, which is visible at lower left in this photo. The previous photo shows a much different-looking stage. Photographed by: Alain Ritchie C. Quisumbing. Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Date: 23 March, 2016. |
Impatiens hawk moth, caterpillar, Theretra oldenlandiae, subfamily Macroglossinae, family Sphingidae. □ The caterpillar of this impatiens hawk moth is sometimes called a taro hornworm. This photo shows the black form of the caterpillar (there is also a green form), and it is the last stage of the caterpillar before it pupates. This last stage is also when the caterpillar is at its most colorful: dark gray to black with cream to yellow spots and bands, two eyespots on each side followed by five more red spots, and finally a white-tipped horn. To see all the caterpillar stages and the adult of this species, click here (Natural History Museum, London). Photographed and identified to order by: Sultan Mamud. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: India. Date: 15 August, 2020. |
Spurge hawk moth, also known as a leafy spurge hawk moth, caterpillar, Hyles euphorbiae, subfamily Macroglossinae, family Sphingidae. □ This brightly colored spurge hawk moth caterpillar sports rows of paired large white spots on each side of its body, an assortment of black patches filled with white speckles, and a single, black-tipped, red horn on its rear end. It is often found on or near leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), a plant with yellowish-green flowers. Photographed by: Michelle Dodge Meitler. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Elk Park, Gaylord, Michigan, USA. Date: 18 July, 2019. |
Spurge hawk moth, also known as a leafy spurge hawk moth, caterpillar, Hyles euphorbiae, subfamily Macroglossinae, family Sphingidae. □ This spurge hawk moth caterpillar will become a mainly brown adult moth that is able to hover, and is often mistaken for a hummingbird. To see the adult, click here (KnowYourInsects.org moth page). Photographed and identified by: Laura Schneider. Location: Govenor Thompson State Park near the Peshtigo River, Marinette County, Wisconsin, USA. Date: 22 August, 2020. Laura says, “My friend, David, and I were hiking when we saw this beauty.... I found a similar looking caterpillar on your site, so am thinking this might be a spurge hawk moth caterpillar.” Excellent ID, Laura! |
Spurge hawk moth, also known as a leafy spurge hawk moth, caterpillar, Hyles euphorbiae, subfamily Macroglossinae, family Sphingidae. □ The spurge hawk moth is originally from Europe, but was introduced to North America to help control leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), a plant that had previously spread to North America from Europe. The photographer said these three were about 3 inches (7.5 cm) in length. Photographed by: Anonymous. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: South Sioux City, Nebraska, USA. Date: 10 September, 2021. |
Spurge hawk moth, caterpillar, Hyles euphorbiae, subfamily Macroglossinae, family Sphingidae. □ This spurge hawk moth caterpillar will eventually pupate. Some butterfly species have a pupa that hangs from branches in plain sight, but many moths, including this species, pupate in wispy silken cocoons that lie barely underground. □ An alternate common name is leafy spurge hawk moth. Photographed by: Erica Riley. Identified by: the Riley family. Nicely done! Location: Minot, North Dakota, USA. Date: 3 September, 2022. Erica says, “My kids and I found this caterpillar today.... From your website, I was thinking maybe a spurge hawk moth but we weren’t sure.” KnowYourInsects.org says, “You were right!” |
Spurge hawk moth, caterpillar, Hyles euphorbiae, subfamily Macroglossinae, family Sphingidae. □ The leafy spurge moth is native to Europe, and this one was photographed in Sicily. The adult female lays her eggs, which look like small, smooth green peas, on the stems of spurge (in the genus Euphorbia). At hatching, the caterpillars are black, but become more colorful and beautiful as they age. Photographed by: Stefania Anfuso. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: San Giovanni La Punta, Catania, Sicily. Date: 18 November, 2022. |
Many moths in this family (Sphingidae) are called hawk moths, which refers to the adult’s hawk-like flight: they are fast fliers and they can hover. |
Common striped hawk moth, caterpillar, Hyles livornica, subfamily Macroglossinae, family Sphingidae. □ This caterpillar of the common striped hawk moth has large, speckled eyespots. Depending on the lighting, the body may look more olive than tan (as seen in these two images of the same caterpillar). To see the adult, pupa, and various stages of the caterpillar, click here (National Inventory of Natural Heritage, INPN). Photographed and identified to order by: Alta le Roux. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Pretoria, South Africa. Date: 4 February, 2020. Alta says, “The hawk moths seem to alternate year to year depending on rain and temperature. We have had a very hot and dry summer so far. First time I’ve spotted this one.” |
White-lined sphinx moth, caterpillar, Hyles lineata, subfamily Macroglossinae, family Sphingidae. □ The caterpillar of this white-lined sphinx moth goes through a number of color/pattern changes as it grows, and this stage is quite pretty with the yellow stripes and orange horn. To see other caterpillar stages and the adult, click here (ButterfliesAndMoths.org) and scan through the photos. Photographed by: Amy Lance. Submitted by: Kathy Marx and Nick Marx. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Parker, Arizona, USA. Date: 15 March, 2019. Kathy says, “Beautiful, huh?” |
Abbott’s sphinx moth, caterpillar, Specodina abbottii, subfamily Macroglossinae, family Sphingidae. □ The caterpillar of the Abbott’s sphinx moth has a black eyespot on its rear end, and that eyespot protrudes so it looks very much like a real eye. Its bright-green color and brown pattern, shown in side and top views (the side view is in the shade), make this quite a vivid caterpillar. □ To see the adult, click here (BugGuide). Photographed by: Arnold Lundwall. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: central Massachusetts, USA. Date: 18 July, 2019. Arnold says, “Found this plump fellow on our grape vines today.” |
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Sphinx moth is another common name for insects in this family (Sphingidae). This refers to the defensive posture of the caterpillar: it rears up rather like the pose of a sphinx. This shows off its eyespots, which can give it a sufficiently snake-like appearance to scare off a predator. |
Tersa sphinx moth, caterpillar, Xylophanes tersa, subfamily Macroglossinae, family Sphingidae. □ The caterpillar of the tersa sphinx moth may be either in green or brown, but in either case, either side has one large eyespot, followed by six more (the sixth is hidden from view in this photo), and ending with a thin black tail horn (just visible upper right). To see the adult, click here (KnowYourInsects.org moth page). Photographed and identified to order by: Donna Sinicrope. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: South Pasadena, Florida, USA. Date: 26 December, 2019. Donna found this caterpillar on her her pentas/Egyptian starcluster plants (Pentas lanceolata), which is one of the favorite foods of this caterpillar. |
Tersa sphinx moth, caterpillar, Xylophanes tersa, subfamily Macroglossinae, family Sphingidae. □ These are the brown version of tersa sphinx moth caterpillars (see the green form elsewhere on this page). The caterpillars can grow to about 3 inches (7.5 cm) long before they will crawl to the ground, dig a bit beneath the soil, and pupate there. Photographed by: Peter and Joanne Wallace. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Clearwater, Florida, USA. Date: 23 March, 2023. Joanne spotted these caterpillars snacking on the leaves of pentas/Egyptian starcluster plants (Pentas lanceolata). |
Vine hawk moth, caterpillar, Hippotion celerio, subfamily Macroglossinae, family Sphingidae. □ The vine hawk moth caterpillar has a pair of large green eyespots on a green body, but there is also a brown form. Both have a dark horn as well as two smaller white spots behind the eyespots, and a white stripe down each side of the body. □ As an adult, it is mainly brown and beige with pink accents. To see the adult, click here (this website’s adult moth page). Photographed by: Sumit Kumar. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: India. Date: 26 August, 2020. |
Silver-striped hawk-moth, caterpillar, Hippotion celerio, subfamily Macroglossinae, family Sphingidae. □ A large group of silver-striped hawk-moth’s caterpillars can completely defoliate taro (Colocasia esculenta), and for that reason, and because the caterpillar has a curved spine extending from the rear, the caterpillars are often called taro hornworms. The caterpillars are also pests of sweet potato, and sometimes can get into garden beans. Photographed by: Edmar Pineda. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Palayan City, Philippines. Date: 27 July, 2024. Edmar says, “Just saw this big guy eating a big leaf of taro (elephant’s ear).” |
Hawk-moth caterpillars in the genus Hippotion, subfamily Macroglossinae, family Sphingidae. □ These could be caterpillars of silver-striped hawk-moths (Hippotion celerio) or common striped hawk-moths (Hippotion eson), which were both found eating the leaves of garden impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) in a garden in southern Africa. (See the comment below.) The caterpillars look alike and, as shown, may be mainly brown or green. The best way to tell them apart is to rear them and compare the adults. □ To see the adult silver-striped hawk-moth, click here (this website’s adult moth page); and to see the adult common striped hawk-moth, click here (Biodiversity Explorer, Iziko Museums of South Africa). Photographed and identified by: Kelli Erasmus. Well done, Kelli! Location: Malkerns, Eswatini (Swaziland). Date: 14 February, 2025. Kelli says, “They decimated a whole pot of impatients 😂.” |
Frangipani hornworm, caterpillar, Pseudosphinx tetrio, subfamily Macroglossinae, family Sphingidae. □ Depending on which tree this very large caterpillar is eating, it may be called a frangipani hornworm (see comment below) or a plumeria caterpillar. It is also sometimes called a Rasta caterpillar, because its colors mimic those of Rastafarian attire. Photographed by: Carlo Castoro. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Date: 16 February, 2022. Carlos found this caterpillar on a frangipani tree. He says, “We love how colorful it is! It will, however, strip that tree bare! But the tree will come back.” |
Snowberry clearwing, caterpillar, Hemaris diffinis, subfamily Macroglossinae, family Sphingidae. □ The caterpillar of the snowberry clearwing may be very dark (as shown here), green or reddish, depending on the stage. As an adult, it is yellow and black, and is sometimes confused with a bumblebee. To see the adult and other stages of the caterpillar, click here (ButterfliesAndMoths.org). Photographed and identified by: Kelly McKinne (@gonzonaturalist). Nicely done on the ID, Kelly! Location: Perrysburg, Ohio, USA. Date: 16 October, 2012. |
Achemon sphinx, caterpillar, Eumorpha achemon, subfamily Macroglossinae, family Sphingidae. □ Achemon sphinx caterpillars have a horn at the rear end through the fourth instar/stage, but in the last stage before it pupates (as seen above), the horn disappears. These caterpillars have a single eyespot on its rear end rather than up by its head like most caterpillars, and the eyespot is where the horn used to attach. □ To see the adult, click here (Bugguide.net). Photographed by: Donna Pulock. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Regina, Saskatchewan Canada. Date: 14 September, 2024. |
Elephant hawk-moth, caterpillar, Deilephila elpenor, subfamily Macroglossinae, family Sphingidae. □ The elephant hawk-moth caterpillar has two characteristic black eyespots on each side, both with a lighter crescent-shaped marking. Caterpillars may be tan, green or dark brown, as seen above. The latter has a splash of yellow beneath the eyespot. □ To see the pretty pink-and-olive adult, click here (KnowYourInsects.org moth page). Photographed by: Patricia Nuttall. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Bath, UK. Date: 4 September, 2024. Patricia found it wandering in her garden. |
Greater death’s head hawk moth, caterpillar, Acherontia lachesis, subfamily Sphinginae, family Sphingidae. □ The greater death’s head hawk moth caterpillar may be yellow with purple markings, or green with white markings (as shown in the next photo). Photographed by: Spoorthi Sv. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Shivamogga (Shimoga), Karnataka state, southwest India. Date: 7 March, 2018. |
Greater death’s head hawk moth, caterpillar, Acherontia lachesis, subfamily Sphinginae, family Sphingidae. □ This photo of the greater death’s head hawk moth provides a nice view of its “tail” or horn. The similar-looking tomato hornworm and tobacco hornworm (shown elsewhere on this page) both have much smoother horns. Photographed by: K J Westman. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Pamunugama, Sri Lanka. Date: 14 March, 2018. |
African death’s head hawk moth, caterpillar, Acherontia atropos, subfamily Sphinginae, family Sphingidae. □ The African death’s head hawk moth gets its common name because of the pattern in the adult: The top of its thorax, looks rather like a human skull. It is also sometimes known as a bee robber, because the adult moth will infiltrate a honey bee hive to steal the honey. It is able to escape the hive unharmed because it emits a honey bee scent that fools the bees into thinking it is one of their own. To see the adult, click here (Monaco Nature Encyclopedia). Photographed and identified by: Alta le Roux. Location: Pretoria, South Africa. Date: 4 February, 2020. Alta described this caterpillar as a “more regular visitor” to the yard. |
African death’s head hawk moth, caterpillar, Acherontia atropos, subfamily Sphinginae, family Sphingidae. □ The head of the African death’s head hawk moth caterpillar has a thick black stripe on either side, as nicely seen in this photo. Photographed and identified to family by: Natalie Rowles. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Pinetown, South Africa (near Durban, KwaZulu-Natal). Date: 23 January, 2023. |
African death’s head hawk moth, caterpillar, Acherontia atropos, subfamily Sphinginae, family Sphingidae. □ Once this caterpillar of the African death’s head hawk moth becomes a pupa, it will turn a deep red color, then changing to black before the adult moth finally emerges. Photographed and identified by: Umeh Paul Nzube. Nicely done, Umeh! Location: Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State, Nigeria. Date: 23 July, 2020. |
Rustic sphinx moth, caterpillar, Manduca rustica, subfamily Sphinginae, family Sphingidae. □ This large rustic sphinx moth caterpillar (see comment below) has an art-deco pattern of chevrons down its back. It will become redder as it gets ready to pupate. To see the adult, click here (KnowYourInsects.org moth page). Photographed by: Judy Malmstrom. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Green Valley, Arizona, USA. Date: 9 September, 2021. Judy says, “Discovered this 4-inch-long (10 cm), finger-width wide, green caterpillar on my walk today.” |
Tomato hornworms are voracious feeders of tomato leaves. They belong to the genus Manduca, which is derived from the Latin word manduc, which means jaws or chewing. In fact, the word mandibles also is derived from manduc. |
Hornworm, caterpillar, possibly a tomato hornworm, Manduca quinquemaculata, subfamily Sphinginae, family Sphingidae. □ A typical tomato hornworm caterpillar has white stripes without black outlining, along with blue to black coloration on its horn. This individual has the former characteristic, but not the latter. Photographed by: Carlo Castoro. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Date: 7 January, 2018. |
Tobacco hornworm, caterpillar, Manduca sexta, subfamily Sphinginae, family Sphingidae. □ The tomato hornworm caterpillar and the tobacco hornworm caterpillar look very similar. One way to tell them apart is that the tomato hornworm’s horn is blue to black, and the tobacco hornworm’s horn is red (as shown here). Photographed and identified by: Randi Wilcoxen. Location: Grand Traverse County, Michigan, USA. Date: 8 September, 2013. |
A hawk moth, caterpillar, in the genus Smerinthus, possibly Smerinthus cerisyi or Smerinthus ophthalmica, subfamily Smerinthinae, family Sphingidae. □ As adults, the hawk moths in both the species Smerinthus ophthalmica and Smerinthus cerisyi have brown and cream wings with a pattern that would blend in well with tree bark. To see the adults, click here and here (Pacific Northwest Moths). Photographed and identified by: Marc Stenberg. Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Date: 3 December, 2020. |
Privet hawk moth, caterpillar, Sphinx ligustri, subfamily Sphinginae, family Sphingidae. □ The caterpillar of the privet hawk moth is similar to both the tobacco hornworm and tomato hornworm, but it has a distinguishing black collor. To see the adult privet hawk-moth, click here (KnowYourInsects.org moth page). Photographed by: Patricia Waterman. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Whitstable, Kent, UK. Date: 21 August, 2018. Patricia reports it was about 100 cm (4 inches) long and 2.5 cm (1 inch) around. She found it in a forsythia bush. |
Walnut sphinx, caterpillar, Amorpha juglandis, subfamily Smerinthinae, family Sphingidae. □ The walnut sphinx caterpillar has a texture a bit like pilly corduroy. A close look reveals faint yellow V-shaped markings on each of its segments. The V is most prominent on the last abdominal segment. This caterpillar also has thin diagonal yellow stripes on the side of each abdominal segment (not seen in the view shown above). To see the adult, click here (BugGuide). Submitted by: Sam George. Photographed by: Linda Guenard Lyell. Identified to family by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Arkansas, USA. Date: 3 June, 2019. |
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Erebidae, the erebid moths
Milkweed tussock moth, caterpillar, Euchaetes egle, subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. □ The milkweed tussock moth caterpillar grows quickly when dining on their namesake milkweed plants (Asclepias spp.). They become increasingly colorful — and much covered with setae (insect “hairs”) — as they go through their growth stages, or instars. Late instars are brightly colored in orange, black and white, as seen here, and because of this color, they are sometimes called milkweed tiger moths. Photographed and identified by: Victor Leverenz. Nicely done, Victor! Location: Lake Orion, Michigan, USA. Date: 27 August, 2018. |
Milkweed tussock moth, caterpillar, Euchaetes egle, subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. □ Milkweed tussock moth caterpillars eat milkweed, which helps shield them from bird predation. Milkweed has a sticky white sap that contains chemicals, including a type called cardiac glycosides. When caterpillars fill up on milkweed, the sap makes them so distasteful that birds leave them alone. And the caterpillars’s bright colors serve as a reminder to birds that they should find their meal elsewhere. Photographed and identified by: the Gray Girls. Submitted by: Niah Perkins (the head Gray!). Great job on the identification, Gray Girls! Location: Hebbronville, Texas, USA. Date: 12 October, 2019. |
Milkweed tussock moth, caterpillar, Euchaetes egle, subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. □ The adult milkweed tussock moth will grow into an adult with plain brown to gray wings and an orange abdomen with a row of small black spots down the middle. To see the adult, click here (BugGuide). Photographed and identified by: Randi Wilcoxen. Nicely done, Randi! Location: Grand Traverse County, Michigan, USA. Date: 8 September, 2013. |
The moth family name Erebidae comes from Greek mythology: Erebus was one of the first five beings in existence and was the personification of deep darkness. Presumably, Erebidae carries the name because moths are primarily nocturnal. |
Police car moth, caterpillar, Gnophaela vermiculata, subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. □ The caterpillar of a police car moth has a black body with a broken yellow line running down it, and is speckled with tiny blue spots. It is also topped with a red head, so it is quite colorful. The photographer watched these caterpillars dropping from the web (at right). □ As an adult, this species has geometrically patterned wings in black and white, the same colors as old police cars. To see the adult, click here (Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine). Photographed by: Nan Tucker. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: near Manti-La Sal National Forest, Utah, USA. Date: June 2022. Nan says, “These are all over our cabin.” |
Salt marsh moth, caterpillar, Estigmene acrea, subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. □ The caterpillar of the salt marsh moth is quite variable. This individual has a white and light greenish-yellow body with tufts of silver setae (insect “hairs”). Photographed by: Jennifer Lamb. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Rosharon, Texas, USA. Date: 8 June, 2018. Jennifer says, “Found this caterpillar on my morning glory.” (Morning glories are climbing plants with petunia-like flowers.) |
Woolly bear, also known as banded woolly bear, caterpillar of the Isabella tiger moth Pyrrharctia isabella, subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. □ Although lore suggests that the amount of of orange banding on the woolly bear can predict how warm the winter will be (more orange = warmer winter), the extent of the banding is actually determined by genetics and by the temperature when the caterpillar hatches from the egg. □ To see the adult Isabella tiger moth, click here (BugGuide). Photographed and identified to order by: Amanda Barker. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Date: mid-August, 2020. |
Banded tussock moth, caterpillar, Halysidota tessellaris, subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. □ This beautiful photo of a banded tussock moth caterpillar shows the long sprays of setae (insect “hairs”) that burst from the body. The color of this caterpillar can vary from yellow (shown here) to orange to gray. □ It is sometimes called a pale tiger moth or tessellated halisidota. Photographed by: Lisa Hetchler. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Deer Run Golf Club Lowell, Michigan, USA. Date: 21 September, 2019. Lisa spotted this caterpillar on her golf cart. Hopefully it was good luck! |
Banded tussock moth, Halysidota tessellaris, subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. □ The banded tussock moth caterpillar may be yellow as shown here, or gray as shown elsewhere on this page. Photographed and identified by: Partha Bagchi. Location: Centreville, near Wilmington, Delaware, USA. Date: 11 September, 2016. Partha took this photo on his deck. |
Banded tussock moth, caterpillar, Halysidota tessellaris, subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. □ The banded tussock moth is also sometimes called a pale tiger moth, which refers to the patterning on the wings of the adult. To see the adult, click here (BugGuide). Photographed and identified by: Randi Wilcoxen. Nicely done, Randi! Location: Grand Traverse County, Michigan, USA. Date: 8 September, 2013. |
Sycamore tussock moth, caterpillar, Halysidota harrisii, subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. □ The adult sycamore tussock moth is cream-colored with tan markings on its wings and two, thin, green-blue stripes running down its thorax. To see the adult, click here (Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health). Photographed by: Dave Delman. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: New York, USA. Date: 23 July, 2017. |
Ornate bella moth, caterpillar, Utetheisa ornatrix, subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. □ With the series of black-and-white markings on its otherwise orangish body, the caterpillar of the ornate bella moth stands out on its typical host plants, which include rattlepods, rattlebox and harebells in the genus Crotalaria. These plants contain a compound (pyrrolizidine alkaloids) that makes the caterpillars and adults poisonous to potential predators. □ To see the adult and learn more about these moths, click here (University of Florida “Featured Creatures” website). Photographed and identified by: Joshua Mallory. Great job with the ID, Joshua! Location: Lehigh Acres, Florida, USA. Date: 20 January, 2020. Joshua found this caterpillar on Avon Park rattlebox, also known as Avon Park harebells (Crotalaria avonensis). |
Polka-dot moth, also known as an oleander moth, caterpillar, Syntomeida epilais, subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. □ The caterpillar of the oleander moth, also known as a polka-dot moth, is yellow or orange with bunches of long, black setae (hairs) extending from tiny black bumps. The caterpillars eat the leaves of oleander shrubs (Nerium oleander). To see the polka-dotted adult moth, click here (KnowYourInsects.org moth page). Photographed by: Marcia Hall. Identified by: Marcia’s boyfriend. Great teamwork! Location: Florida. Date: 13 November, 2023. |
Rosy aemilia, caterpillar, Lophocampa roseata, subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. □ This caterpillar, sometimes known by the common name of rosy aemilia, is beautiful with its black, white and tiny yellow tufts of setae (insect “hairs”). The adult is also quite attractive with a reddish-orange pattern. To see the adult, click here (BugGuide). □ This moth has a small range, living only in the Pacific Northwest from western Oregon to southwestern British Columbia. Photographed and identified to order by: Marc Stenberg. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Date: 3 December, 2020. |
Black-winged dahana, caterpillar, Dahana atripennis, subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. □ One of the features of this black-winged dahana caterpillar is its face: big orange vertex (the lobes covering most of its head) and an inverted white “Y” outlined in black. It also has two bright white stripes down its back, numerous light-gray tufts along its body, and a few black tufts near its head. □ As an adult, this is a beautiful diurnal (daytime-active) species. To see the adult, click here (BugGuide). Photographed and identified to order by: Selcuk Mumcu. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Tampa, Florida, USA. Date: 6 April, 2020. |
Edwards wasp moth, cocoon, Lymire edwardsii, subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. □ The Edwards wasp moth makes a cocoon that looks like a wad of hair clippings. The caterpillar transforms into a pupa inside the cocoon. □ This caterpillar is sometimes called a rubber tree caterpillar because it eats, and is a pest of, rubber trees. To see the adult, click here (KnowYourInsects.org moth page). Photographed by: Gretchen Mendez. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Hollywood, Florida, USA. Date: 10 July, 2021. Gretchen found this cocoon on a ficus, the caterpillars also eat, but said they were “definitely not putting a dent in any of my ficus trees.” |
Giant woolly bear caterpillar, known as a great leopard moth as an adult, Hypercompe scribonia, subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. □ This giant woolly bear caterpillar can grow to nearly 3 inches (7.5 cm) long. This one is fully grown and completely covered with black and dark gray setae (insect “hairs”), which conceal the thin red banding on its otherwise black body beneath. To see the lovely adult moth, which is called a great leopard moth, click here (KnowYourInsects.org moth page). Photographed and identified by: Anne Guelker. Nicely done, Anne! Location: Missouri Ozarks, Missouri. Date: 15 April, 2020. |
Giant woolly bear, caterpillar and pupa, known as a great leopard moth as an adult, Hypercompe scribonia, subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. □ This photo shows both the caterpillar and pupa of a giant woolly bear. The smoother and large black part is the pupa (also called a chrysalis), which is covered with light silk webbing (the cocoon). The hairy-looking part at the left is the shed from the caterpillar, which is coated with setae (insect “hairs”). The adult will emerge from the pupa. To see the adult, which has its own common name of great leopard moth, click here (KnowYourInsects.org moth page). Photographed by: Sandi Emsley. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Stafford, Virginia, USA. Date: 25 June, 2021. Sandi says, “It was in a slide shoe. It’s about 2 inches (5 cm) long and surrounded by webbing.” |
Fall webworm, caterpillar, Hyphantria cunea, subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. □ The fall webworm produces silk to make thick webs over branch tips in late summer and autumn. The webworms live within the webbing until they are ready to transform into pupae. At that time, they crawl down to the bottom of the tree and and pupate in the shelter of fallen leaves and under tree bark. Photographed by: Marv Goldberg. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: near Tamarac, Florida, USA. Date: 20 July, 2021. |
Fall webworm moth, caterpillar, Hyphantria cunea, subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. □ This fall webworm will become a delicate-looking white adult. To see the adult moth, click here (KnowYourInsects.org moth page). Photographed and identified by: Robert E. Carpenter. Nicely done, Robert! Robert has a slow-motion nature video posted here. Location: Kerrville, Texas, USA. Date: 8 July, 2023. |
Yellow woolly bear, the caterpillar of the Virginian tiger moth, Spilosoma virginica, subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. □ This one is a little worse for the wear — usually yellow woolly bears are quite fluffy-looking. To see the adult, which has its own common name of Virginian tiger moth, click here. Photographed and identified by: Randi Wilcoxen. Excellent ID, Randi! Location: Grand Traverse County, Michigan, USA. Date: 8 September, 2013. |
Yellow woolly bear, the caterpillar of the Virginia tiger moth Spilosoma virginica, subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. □ The photographer described this caterpillar of a Virginian tiger moth as a “stinging caterpillar.” Many caterpillars have hollow setae (insect “hairs”) equipped with poison sacs. Called urticating hairs, the poison setae can deliver a painful stinging sensation. The yellow woolly bear does not have urticating hairs, but some people with especially sensitive skin still sometimes have a reaction known as dermatitis. More information about urticating hairs is available here. Photographed and identified to family by: H. C. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Dallas, Texas, USA. Date: 25 June, 2020. |
Agreeable tiger moth, Spilosoma congrua, subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. □ This caterpillar of an agreeable tiger moth has thin light-colored bands on a hairy black body. The adult is almost completely white with tiny black specks on its wings and fuzzy orange forelegs. □ To see the adult, click here (Bugguide.net). Photographed by: Hilary Barton. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Morgan County, Tennessee, USA. Date: 30 August, 2024. Hilary says it was outside her front door. |
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Tussock moth, caterpillar, possibly southern tussock moth, Dasychira meridionalis, subfamily Lymantriinae, family Erebidae. □ The southern tussock moth caterpillar spins heavy-duty silk for its cocoon, which can make them a bit difficult to remove from the side of a house. Usually, however, they make their cocoons on leaves. Note: In some classification systems, the subfamily Lymantriinae listed as its own family: Lymantriidae. Photographed by: Randy Jenkins. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Houston area, Texas, USA. Date: 13 June, 2017. |
Yellow hairy caterpillar, Psalis pennatula, subfamily Lymantriinae, family Erebidae. □ A careful look shows four yellow tufts on the front half of the aptly named yellow hairy caterpillar (lower left). Photographed by: Surani Pratik. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: India. Date: 13 February, 2017. Surani says this was in the sugarcane crop (and it is indeed a pest of sugarcane). |
Spongy moth (formerly known as the gypsy moth), caterpillar, Lymantria dispar, subfamily Lymantriinae, family Erebidae. □ The backs of spongy moth caterpillars are lined with parallel rows of spots: those nearest the head are blue, and the remainder are red. The color of spots is distinctive and helps set them apart from the somewhat similar-looking eastern tent caterpillar, which has parallel rows of all-blue spots. Photographed and identified by: Leslie Mertz. Location: Gaylord, Michigan, USA. Date: 26 June, 2019. |
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Spongy moth (formerly known as the gypsy moth), caterpillar, Lymantria dispar, subfamily Lymantriinae, family Erebidae. □ Spongy moth caterpillars hatch from egg masses that look like a thin pieces of beige stuck to a tree trunk. For more information about this species, which is invasive in North America, click here (University of Kentucky Department of Enromology). Photographed and identified by: Leslie Mertz. Location: Gaylord, Michigan, USA. Date: 30 June, 2020. |
Cocoa tussock moth, caterpillar, Orgyia postica, subfamily Lymantriinae, family Erebidae. □ The colors on this cocoa tussock moth are quite spectacular, and the two groupings of black setae (insect “hairs”), known as hair pencils, on either side of the head add even more flair. These caterpillars are considered pests in cacoa plantations, where they can do a great deal of damage to tender young leaves with those chewing, grinding mouthparts. □ The adult is mainly brown with some patterning on its forewings. To see the adult, click here (MothsOfIndia.org). Photographed and identified by: Eric Blehaut. Location: Bang Krang, Nonthaburi, Thailand. Date: 20 October, 2023. Eric says, “So pretty and colourful.” |
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□ Many moths in the Erebidae family are known as different tussock moths. Tussock is another term for tufts of setae (insect “hairs”), which are characteristic of tussock moth caterpillars. Some also have long setae extensions, called hair pencils, especially at the front and rear of the caterpillar. |
Western tussock moth, caterpillar, Orgyia vetusta, subfamily Lymantriinae, family Erebidae. □ A good identifying feature of many tussock moths, including this western tussock moth, is the row of tufts on its back (this one has four). The western tussock moth also has long, black setae (insect “hairs”) extensions, called hair pencils, at the head and rear. The adult female of this species is wingless and looks more like a fuzzball than a moth. To see the adult male and female, click here (University of California, Irvine). Photographed by: Nora Schwab. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Fair Oaks, California, USA. Date: 26 May, 2020. Nora says, “This morning I found an interesting caterpillar on the underside of a waterlily leaf pad.... I think it’s quite lovely!” KnowYourInsects.org says, “We agree!” |
Fir tussock moth, also known as a live oak tussock moth, caterpillar, Orgyia detrita, subfamily Lymantriinae, family Erebidae. □ Identifying features of the fir tussock moth caterpillar are its red head, the row of light gray tufts on its back, and the pattern of skull-like black spots (see inset photo) on the back half of its abdomen. To see the adult, click here (BugGuide). □ Although called fir tussock moths, the caterpillars actually only eat the leaves of oak and bald cypress trees. In fact, it is sometimes called a live oak tussock moth. Photographed by: Dan Davis. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Humble, Texas, USA. Date: 25 April, 2021. |
White-marked tussock moth, caterpillar, Orgyia leucostigma, subfamily Lymantriinae, family Erebidae. □ The white-marked tussock moth caterpillar has a red head and a row of four white to cream-colored tufts of setae (insect “hairs”) on its back. As an adult this moth is a mottled brown color often with two small white markings on the rear of its forewings. To see the adult, click here (BugGuide). Spotted by: Emmy and Josie. Photographed by: John Hayes (their dad). Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA. Date: 19 June, 2019. |
Rusty tussock moth, also known as a vapourer in Europe, caterpillar, Orgyia antiqua, subfamily Lymantriinae, family Erebidae. □ The rusty tussock moth is native to Europe, where it is called a vapourer, but has spread into North America (where this photo was taken). The caterpillar is a gray-blue color with small red-orange spots, four large tufts of setae (insect “hairs”) on its back, and several smaller tufts of setae (insect “hairs”) along its sides. Photographed and identified to order by: Darlene Peterson. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Westlock, Alberta, Canada. Date: 24 June, 2019. |
 Rusty tussock moth, also known as a vapourer, cocoon and eggs, Orgyia antiqua, subfamily Lymantriinae, family Erebidae. □ □ As adults, only the male rusty tussock moth, also known as a vapourer, is capable of flight. The female has tiny wings that do not function. The female lays her eggs right on her cocoon, as seen in this photo. To see photos of the adult male and female, here (Butterfly Conservation). □ This moth is native to Europe, but has spread over much of the northern hemisphere, including to North America. Photographed and identified as a cocoon by: Annette Moore. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Wiltshire, England. Date: 12 January, 2021. |
Brown tussock moth, eggs, caterpillar and pupa, Olene mendosa, subfamily Lymantriinae, family Erebidae. □ All three photos — the eggs, caterpillar and cocoon-covered pupa — are of the same species: a brown tussock moth. See the wonderful story below of how the photographer watched it develop over time, and became a guardian to this moth. Photographed and identified to subfamily by: Sri Charan. Location: Telangana, India. Date: 24 September, 2020. Sri found this caterpillar and fed it leaves of the plant on which it was found, as well as the leaves of hibiscus. “It ate leaves of both the plants, formed a cocoon and came out as an adult moth. To see the adult, click here (KnowYourInsects.org moth page). I let it free, but soon I saw it caught by spider. I took it back to the box in which I raised the caterpillar.” Eventually the moth laid the eggs shown! |
Orvasca subnotata (no specific common name), subfamily Lymantriinae, family Erebidae. □ This Orvasca subnotata caterpillar has a pair of orange tufts at the head and a prominent, yellow-flanked, orange stripe running down its back. The adult is a hairy, beige-and-yellow moth. To see the adult, click here (MothsOfIndia.org). Photographed and identified by: Eric Blehaut. Excellent identification, Eric! Location: Bang Krang area of Thailand. Date: 9 October, 2023. |
Clearwing tussock moth, caterpillar, in the genus Perina, subfamily Lymantriinae, family Erebidae. □ The longer the time spent looking at this clearwing tussock moth caterpillar, the more detail is revealed: Black-outlined, light-blue spots run down each side of a gold central stripe; small red dots circle the head; and tufts of delicate white setae (insect “hairs”) sprout from the sides of the body while a light-brown, fuzzy hump arises from its back not far behind the head. Photographed by: Galiguti Anjaneyulu. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Date: 27 January, 2019. Galiguti snapped this photo for an insect class. |
Clethrogyna turbata, (no specific common name), caterpillar, , subfamily Lymantriinae, family Erebidae. □ Clethrogyna turbata has two large yellow tufts of setae (insect “hairs”); two tiny red knobs between a pair of irregular white stripes; and plenty of long, spiky setae. As an adult, it is a tiny moth that easily sits on a fingertip. To see the adult, by click here. Photographed and identified by: Eric Blehaut. Nicely done, Eric! Location: Bang Krang area of Thailand. Date: 16 August, 2023. |
Unidentified tussock moth, caterpillar, subfamily Lymantriinae, family Erebidae. Photographed by: Shefali Chaudhari. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: flori farm, NAU, Gujarat, India. Date: 7 February, 2019. |
The “ horns” seen on some caterpillars are ornamental structures. The horns do not carry any venom and are harmless. Setae (insect “hairs”) on caterpillars, on the other hand, can penetrate the skin and cause irritation. |
Curve-lined owlet, caterpillar, Phyprosopus callitrichoides, subfamily Erebinae, family Erebidae. □ The curve-lined owlet caterpillar has two large “horns” on its body. The adult moth, which is reddish brown, has a long and curved ivory line on each forewing, and each line has a thinner brown line running down the middle. To see the adult, click here (BugGuide). Photographed and identified by: Joe Sage. Location: Lake Placid, Florida, USA. Date: 12 July, 2019. Joe says, “Check out this cool little inchworm I found in the scrub this week.” |
Maple looper, caterpillar, Parallelia bistriaris, subfamily Erebinae, family Erebidae. □ The caterpillar of the maple looper has a tapered tail end (top of this photo). Its head (not shown) has four black stripes, two running forward on each side. Not all individuals have the triangular body markings seen in this photo. To see the adult, click here (Maryland Biodiversity Project). Photographed by: C.M. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Wheaton, Maryland, USA. Date: 6 September, 2021. |
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Eupterotidae, the monkey moths
Skull-face moringa, caterpillar in the genus Eupterote, probably Eupterote mollifera, subfamily Eupterotinae, family Eupterotidae. □ The skull-face moringa caterpillar does have a face that looks rather like a skull, especially when viewed head-on. To see another nice head-on photo, click here (Flickr site). Photographed by: K J Westman. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Nitulemada, Digana, Rajawella, Kandy, Sri Lanka. Date: 23 March, 2016. |
Monkey moth, caterpillar, in the genus Palirisa, subfamily Eupterotinae, family Eupterotidae. □ The left photo shows the side of this monkey moth caterpillar as it creeps along the underside of a leaf. The right photo is a top-down photo of the same caterpillar. Both show the spikes of long setae (insect “hairs”) extending along its body, a pompadour of tan setae covering its head, and another tuffet of tan setae at the rear. □ This could be one of three species, all of which occur in Vietnam, where this photo was taken: Palirisa lineosa, Palirisa cervina or Palirisa salix (Palirisa salix was discovered in Vietnam in 2011). As adults, all three species are light brown with two or more thin, darker brown stripes on each wing. Photographed by: Sarah Bales. Location: Ba Vì National Park, near Hanoi, Vietnam. Date: 25 October, 2022. Sarah says this caterpillar was “huge.” She adds, “Quite a hair style!” |
Hesperiidae, the skippers
Common redeye, Matapa aria, subfamily Hesperiinae, family Hesperiidae. □ The common redeye caterpillar has an orange head, and a body that is light gray with yellow on its underside. The adult is milk-chocolate brown with big red eyes. To see the adult, click here (iNaturalist). Photographed and identified by: Eric Blehaut. Well done, Eric! Location: Bang Krang, Nonthaburi, Thailand. Date: 26 June, 2024. |
□ The head of a caterpillar is covered with two large lobes, called the vertex, which are sometimes mistaken for eyes. The actual eyes of caterpillars look like a group of small lumps, usually on either side of the head. |
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Nymphalidae, the brush-footed butterflies
Plain tiger, caterpillar, Danaus chrysippus, subfamily Danainae, family Nymphalidae. □ The yellow ovals, black stripes, bull’s eye pattern on its face, and red bases on the horns help to identify this plain tiger. The adult has rich, orange-colored wings with white-spotted dark-brown edges. To see the adult plain tiger, click here (KnowYourInsects.org butterfly page). Photographed by: Yanni Petropoulos. Identified by KnowYourInsects.org Location: southern Greece. Date: 1 November, 2020. |
Plain tiger, caterpillar, Danaus chrysippus, subfamily Danainae, family Nymphalidae. □ This caterpillar of a plain tiger has red on its body, but others have black instead. □ Its green pupa looks very similar to that of a monarch (KnowYourInsects.org butterfly page), and this butterfly is also known as an African monarch. Sometimes, the pupa is pink. Larval hormones determine the pupa color, and the hormones are turned on by both genetic and environmental cues (Biological Journal of the Linnean Society). Photographed and identified by: Eric Blehaut. Nicely done, Eric! Location: Bang Krang area of Thailand. Date: 15 August, 2023. |
Plain tiger, caterpillar, Danaus chrysippus, subfamily Danainae, family Nymphalidae. □ As with most caterpillars, the head of a plain tiger caterpillar is mostly the vertex (the two big lobes that are sometimes mistaken for giant eyes). The black stripe runs through the center of the vertex and also forms a triangle around another head section, called the gena. Photographed and identified by: Eric Blehaut. Well done, Eric! Location: Bang Krang, Nonthaburi, Thailand. Date: 8 June, 2024. |
Monarch, pupa and adult, Danaus plexippus, subfamily Danainae, family Nymphalidae. □ This chrysalis of the monarch hung on a clothesline next to a tree for more than two weeks, finally changed from the green color to black with a good view of the orange wings inside, and within a day, the adult had emerged. □ Nobody knows for sure why the spots on the chrysalis are gold. Some think they might help break up the outline of the pupa (just as a zebra’s stripes do), so they serve as a sort of camouflage. Others, however, think the gold alerts potential predators that the developing butterfly inside is distasteful. Photographed by: Leslie Mertz (early pupa and adult) and Laura Saaf (late pupa) — a joint effort! Location: Houghton Lake, Michigan, USA. Date: 16-18 August, 2020. |
Monarch, caterpillar, Danaus plexippus, subfamily Danainae, family Nymphalidae. □ For a wonderful YouTube video about the monarch transformation from caterpillar to pupa to adult, click here. Photographed and identified by: Leslie Mertz. Location: Michigan, USA. Date: 21 June, 2012. |
Small tortoiseshell, caterpillar, Aglais urticae, subfamily Nymphalinae, family Nymphalidae. □ The species name of the small tortoiseshell (urticae) comes from the Latin word for “sting,” and although this caterpillar has numerous spines, the descriptor actually refers to the plant the caterpillars feed on: stinging nettles (Urtica dioica). Indeed, the photographer noted that these two were part of a “pile of caterpillars on nettles.” To see the adult small tortoiseshell, click here (KnowYourInsects.org butterfly page). Photographed by: Eleanor Russell. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: East Clare, Ireland. Date: 22 May, 2022. |
Rosita patch, Chlosyne rosita, subfamily Nymphalinae, family Nymphalidae. □ The caterpillar of the rosita patch is covered in urticating spines, which can cause skin irritation if a person gets stuck with them. See the comment below. □ To see the adult rosita patch, click here (KnowYourInsects.org adult butterfly page). Photographed and identified by: Robert E. Carpenter. See Robert’s collection of butterflies of Texas here, and his slow-motion insect videos here. Location: Kerrville, Texas, USA. Date: 14 October, 2016. Robert says, “The larvae were feeding on fire pink (Silene virginica). They covered shrub, their tiny urticating spines shining in the sun. The spines are barbed, which makes them work their way into the skin. I would rather fall into a cactus patch than a rosita patch larva patch!” |
□ Some caterpillars, like those of the rosita patch, with urticating hairs (stinging spines). These are actually hollow setae (insect “hairs”) equipped with poison sacs. The setae can break off in a person’s skin and cause a reaction, which some people find quite painful. |
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Gulf fritillary, caterpillars, Agraulis vanillae, subfamily Nymphalinae, family Nymphalidae. □ This pair of gulf fritillary caterpillars have quite impressive black spines. They eat the leaves of passionflowers (in the genus Passiflora), sometimes leaving the plant nearly bare. To see the adult gulf fritillary, click here (KnowYourInsects.org butterfly page). Photographed and identified by: Robert E. Carpenter. Nicely done, Robert! Robert has a slow-motion nature video posted here. Location: Guadalupe River, Kerrville, Texas, USA. Date: 24 April, 2009. |
Gulf fritillary, pupa, Agraulis vanillae, subfamily Nymphalinae, family Nymphalidae. □ This gulf fritillary is just transitioning from its pupal stage to the adult. Only the undersides of its hindwings are showing in this photo. The undersides of the forewings have a blaze of reddish/orange. To see the adult gulf fritilary, click here (KnowYourInsects.org butterfly page). Photographed and identified to order by: Shelly Happel. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Tampa, Florida, USA. Date: 19 March, 2020. Shelly says, “First day of spring 😊” |
Dirce beauty, caterpillar, Colobura dirce, subfamily Nymphalinae, family Nymphalidae. □ The caterpillar of a dirce beauty is black with forked, white spines. At some instars (stages in its development), the caterpillar has yellow, oblong markings, as shown above. □ The adult dirce beauty lives up to its name: the undersides of its wings are patterned with dark and light swirls. To see the adult, click here (Butterflies and Moths of North America website). Photographed and identified by: Nicole Bernfeld. Location: Belize. Date: 9 August, 2024. |
Chalcedon checkerspot, caterpillars, Euphydryas chalcedona, subfamily Nymphalinae, family Nymphalidae. □ Caterpillars of the chalcedon checkerspot, also known as a variable checkerspot, and the bay checkerspot (Euphydryas editha bayensis) look alike, and both are found in San Mateo County, California, where this photo was taken. Their host plants help tell them apart: The chalcedon checkerspot feeds on California bee plant (Scrophularia californica), which is the plant in the photo, while the bay checkerspot prefers leaves of dwarf plantain (Plantago erecta). □ To see the adult chalcedon checkerspot, click here (KnowYourInsects.org butterfly page). Photographed by: Thomas Langhans. See Thomas’s full-size image here. Identified to genus by: Lynette Cook, and to species by: Ariel Cherbowsky Corkidi of San Bruno Mountain Watch. Location: city of Brisbane, county of San Mateo, California, USA. Date: 29 January, 2025. |
Nymphalid pupa, likely a painted lady, Vanessa cardui, subfamily Nymphalinae, family Nymphalidae. □ The pupa, also known as a chrysalis, of a painted lady has rows of spiny bumps running down its length, as seen here. To see the adult painted lady, click here (KnowYourInsects.org butterfly page). Photographed and identified to order by: Daulton Lee. Nicely done, Daulton! Location: western Illinois, USA. Date: 21 March, 2020. Daulton says, “A chrysalis I found attached to the brick wall at my desk at work.” |
Nymphalid pupa, perhaps a forest giant owl, Caligo eurilochus, subfamily Morphinae, family Nymphalidae. □ The pupa, also known as a chrysalis, of this moth, possibly a forest giant owl is inside the leafy cocoon shown here. The cocoon is dangling from a bit of silk. To see the adult forest giant owl and other members of this genus, click here (Florida Museum of Natural History). Photographed and identified as a moth cocoon by: Leah Miller. Location: Belmopan, Belize, Central America. Date: 25 April, 2022. |
Papilionidae, the swallowtails
Eastern black swallowtail, caterpillar, Papilio polyxenes asterius, subfamily Papilioninae, family Papilionidae. □ The eastern black swallowtail caterpillar is black and yellow, which serves a protective function: Birds can mistake them for the similar-looking monarch caterpillars, which taste bad (see the monarch entry elsewhere on this page), and therefore avoid them. The camouflage works on humans, too; see the comment below. □ To see the adult black swallowtail butterfly, click here (KnowYourInsects.org butterfly page). Photographed and identified by: Annette Raper. Location: Waterdown, Ontario, Canada. Date: 5 August, 2019. Annette says, “Just captured these images munching on my parsley. First, we thought they were monarchs. Good mimicry.” |
Eastern black swallowtail, caterpillar, Papilio polyxenes asterius, subfamily Papilioninae, family Papilionidae. □ The eastern black swallowtail goes through five stages (instars). During the first two instars, the caterpillar is black and spiny with a small white area, called a saddle, at about mid-back. The late instar (shown here) is green with black and yellow markings. Photographed and identified by: Celia Godwin. Nicely done, Celia! Location: eastern Ontario, Canada. Date: 3 August, 2012. Celia says, “I’m a gardener interested in all the life forms I find in my garden.” |
Eastern black swallowtail, caterpillar, Papilio polyxenes asterius, subfamily Papilioninae, family Papilionidae. □ This looks like a fourth instar of an eastern black swallowtail caterpillar (the fourth of the five caterpillar stages). When it molts to the final caterpillar stage — the fifth instar — it loses the short black spikes seen here. Photographed by: Anonymous. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: southeastern Arizona, USA. Date: 12 October, 2021. |
Eastern black swallowtail, caterpillar, Papilio polyxenes asterius, subfamily Papilioninae, family Papilionidae. □ The photographer captured these photos of the fall color morph of an eastern black swallowtail caterpillar. The black instead of green color occurs when temperatures cool in autumn, which causes the caterpillar’s color-making mechinery to stop producing its summertime green color. The resulting black color soaks up more solar heat, which speeds its metabolism, and allows the caterpillar to pupate before the cold of winter sets in — it can survive the winter as a pupa, but not as a caterpillar. To read more about this fascinating color shift, click here (the journal Evolution). Photographed and identified by: Lynette Cook, who also provided the information on the color shift. Thank you, Lynette! Location: Towson, Maryland, USA. Date: 6 October, 2021. Lynette says, “The caterpillar was munching on an Aegopodium plant in my mother’s front yard.” |
Anise swallowtail, caterpillar, Papilio zelicaon, subfamily Papilioninae, family Papilionidae. □ The caterpillar of an anise swallowtail can look the same as that of black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes). This one, however, was photographed in central California, which is home to anise swallowtails but not black swallowtails, which made the identification possible. Anise swallowtails are found in the western U.S. and far southwestern Canada. Photographed by: Thomas Langhans. To see Thomas’s full-size image, click here. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: city of Brisbane, county of San Mateo, California, USA. Date: 5 July, 2023. |
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Eastern giant swallowtail, caterpillar, Papilio cresphontes asterius, subfamily Papilioninae, family Papilionidae. □ The caterpillar of the eastern giant swallowtail goes by the unflattering name of “bird poop caterpillar,” because that is what it resembles! It may not seem such a great thing, but this disguise confuses a lot of would-be predators. To see what a giant swallowtail adult looks like, click here (KnowYourInsects.org butterfly page). Photographed and identified by: Victor Leverenz. Nicely done, Victor! Location: Dryden, Michigan, USA. Date: 8 August, 2018. Victor says, “I would not have noticed it except for the fact that there were two close together. Trying to look ugly and repulsive and inedible I guess.” He found it on prickly-ash (Zanthoxylum americanum). |
Eastern giant swallowtail, caterpillar, Papilio cresphontes asterius, subfamily Papilioninae, family Papilionidae. □ Caterpillars of the eastern giant swallowtail are very fond of citrus leaves, so a few are capable of defoliating young trees. Larger trees, however, can usually withstand the nibbling. To learn more, click here (University of Florida “Featured Creatures”. Photographed by: Gregory L. Gendusa. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Plantation, Broward County, Florida, USA. Date: 14 April, 2022. |
Common mormon, caterpillar, Papilio polytes, subfamily Papilioninae, family Papilionidae. □The caterpillar of the common mormon has a yellow band across its head and another just behind its head, rather like a headband and necklace. To see the adults, click here (KnowYourInsects.org butterfly page). Photographed by: Arvind Soni. Location: India. Date: 24 March, 2022. Arvind saw this caterpillar on a lime plant. |
Spicebush swallowtail, caterpillar, Papilio troilus, subfamily Papilioninae, family Papilionidae. □ This beautiful lime-green spicebush swallowtail caterpillar has two large black-centered eyespots, two additional yellow spots behind the eyespots, and a series of small black-outlined, blue spots running down its body. This is the fifth instar, so it is just about ready to pupate. When the caterpillar is younger, it is mostly dark brown. Photographed by: Randall Knox. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Unknown. Date: 5 June, 2019. |
Two-tailed swallowtail, caterpillar, Papilio multicaudata, subfamily Papilioninae, family Papilionidae. □ The two-tailed swallowtail caterpillar is green throughout most of its development, but turns reddish-brown, before it pupates. The adult looks similar to an eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). To see the adult two-tailed swallowtail, click here (BugGuide). Photographed and identified to order by: Lynette Crockett. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Apache Sitgreaves National Forest, Linden, Arizona, USA. Date: 2 September, 2019. Lynette says, “It was just spinning its cocoon when I took this picture.” |
Common mime, caterpillar, Papilio clytia, subfamily Papilioninae, family Papilionidae. □ When very young, the caterpillar of a common mime is brown, black, yellow and white, and looks much like bird droppings. Later in its development, it takes on the appearance shown in the photo: yellow patches and red spots on a black background. □ To see the adult, click here (Butterflies of India). Photographed and identified to order by: Binu Correya. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Ernakulam, Kerala, India. Date: 7 June, 2020. Binu found this caterpillar on a cinnamon plant (or in Malayalam, patta). |
Eastern tiger swallowtail, caterpillar, Papilio glaucus, subfamily Papilioninae, family Papilionidae. □ Earlier in its development, the eastern tiger swallowtail caterpillar is lime green, but darkens as seen here before it pupates. This caterpillar shows a pinkish “necklace” with a mottled abdomen; a row of tiny white spots just in front of the necklace; and two eyespots. □ To see the adult, click here (KnowYourInsects.org butterfly page). Photographed and identified to order by: Dana Morisset. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Miami, Oklahoma, USA. Date: 13 June, 2020. |
□ Caterpillars go through stages, called instars, and they may change colors and patterns quite dramatically from one instar to the next. In some cases, an instar of one species can even look like the instar of another, making its identication very challenging! |
Asian swallowtail, also known as a Chinese yellow swallowtail, caterpillar, Papilio xuthus, subfamily Papilioninae, family Papilionidae. □ This is a young Asian swallowtail caterpillar. As it ages, it will become lime green with an ornate black “necklace.” To see the older caterpillar, click here (BugGuide). □ The adult has black-and-white wings with a row of blue markings and two red eyespots on the hindwings. To see the different life stages, click here (inaturalist.org). Photographed and identified to order by: Binu Correya. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Ernakulam, Kerala, India. Date: 7 June, 2020. Binu found this caterpillar on a cinnamon plant (or in malayalam, patta). |
□ Caterpillars of swallowtail butterflies can extend a small defensive structure, called an osmeterium, that expands up from the back of the head rather like a small yellow balloon or fleshy horn. |
Western giant swallowtail, caterpillar, Papilio rumiko, subfamily Papilioninae, family Papilionidae. □ This western giant swallowtail caterpillar looks just like the giant swallowtail (Papilo cresphontes) pictured elsewhere on this page. What distinguishes the western giant swallowtail caterpillar is its location: this one was photographed in Arizona, which is home to the western giant swallowtail, but not the other. In fact, the giant swallowtail is sometimes known as an eastern giant swallowtail to help describe its geographic range in North America. Photographed by: Sunny-Judith Malmstrom. Location: Green Valley, Arizona, USA. Date: 25 August, 2022. |
Pipevine swallowtail, also known as a blue swallowtail, caterpillar, Battus philenor, subfamily Papilioninae, family Papilionidae. □ The pipevine swallowtail caterpillar has numerous long tubercles at the front and rear, including two especially long ones near the head. The caterpillar comes in two colors: This is the dark one; the other is much more red in color. □ To see the adult, click here (KnowYourInsects.org butterfly page). Photographed and identified by: Gail Rowley, Ozark Stream Photography. Great ID, Gail! Location: Texas County, Missouri, USA. Date: 7 April, 2020. |
Unidentified papilionid caterpillar, family Papilionidae. □ Like many caterpillars in the swallowtail family, this papilionid caterpillar has a swollen thorax with eyespots — the combined effect makes the thorax look like a large head, which can be helpful in scaring off predators. Photographed by: Spoorthi Sv. Identified to family by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Shivamogga (Shimoga), Karnataka state, southwest India. Date: 7 March, 2018. |
□ Would you like a list of all the butterfly/moth families in one handy place? We made one for you! To see it, click here. |
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Pieridae, the whites, yellows and sulphurs
Large cabbage white, eggs, Pieris brassicae, subfamily Pierinae, family Pieridae. □ These large cabbage white eggs have ridges up the sides and taper gently toward the tip. As the larve near the hatching time, the eggs will darken. Newborn caterpillars are yellow with black heads, but as they age their appearance will change. Photographed and identified by: A. R. Ramya and Janardhan. Nicely done! Location: Faculty of Agriculture, Skuast-K, Kashmir, India. Date: 24 November, 2021. |
Large white, caterpillar, Pieris brassicae, subfamily Pierinae, family Pieridae. □ This large white caterpillar has black spots on a green background, as well as a white stripe along each side. (The white stripe is not always prominent in this species.) The photographer found it on a rocket herb (wild arugula). The large white is native to Europe, but has spread to Africa, where this photo was taken. Photographed and identified to order by: Natalie Rowles. Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Pinetown, South Africa (near Durban, KwaZulu-Natal). Date: 18 May, 2020. “This plant is really my honeybee attraction, as well now these caterpillars which are chewing up all the leaves like pairs of scissors trimming the bush into a smaller shape too!” |
Cabbage butterfly, caterpillar, in the genus Pieris, subfamily Pierinae, family Pieridae. □ This could be either a large cabbage white (Pieris brassicae) or a dusky white (Pieris deota), both of which live in India, where this photo was taken. Photographed and identified by: A. R. Ramya and Janardhan. Nicely done! Location: Faculty of Agriculture, Skuast-K, Kashmir, India. Date: 24 November, 2021. A. R. says this is a fifth-instar larva, which is the final caterpillar stage before it pupates. |
Caterpillars of the genus Pieris, subfamily Pierinae, family Pieridae. □ This collection of caterpillars in the genus Pieris have colors that shift from blue-green near the head to lemon-yellow at the rear, and are covered with black speckles. To see the adults, click here (KnowYourInsects.org butterfly page). Photographed by: Paula French. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: London, UK. Date: July, 2018. |
Eggs of the genus Pieris, subfamily Pierinae, family Pieridae. □ These eggs of a butterfly in the genus Pieris have an intricate design and a lovely yellow color. The caterpillars haven’t hatched from these eggs yet. See the caterpillars elsewhere on this page. Photographed by: Paula French. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: London, UK. Date: July, 2018. |
Cabbage butterflies, caterpillars, in the genus Pieris, subfamily Pierinae, family Pieridae. □ Caterpillars of cabbage butterflies nearly completely cover this plant stem. India has several species in the genus Pieris. To see the variety in India, click here (Butterflies of India website). Photographed and identified by: A.R Ramya. Location: Kashmir, India. Date: 8 May, 2021. A.R Ramya described the caterpillars as early instars. |
Cabbage butterfly, chrysalis, in the genus Pieris, subfamily Pierinae, family Pieridae. □ The pupa of a cabbage butterfly has the overall shape seen here, but the color varies: sometimes they are white with black speckles, sometimes green, and sometimes brown. These could be the pupae of a cabbage white butterfly (Pieris rapae). To see the adult cabbage white, click hereclick here (KnowYourInsects.org butterfly website). Photographed by: Carrie Kolmetz. Location: Dearborn Heights, Michigan, MI. Date: 16 September, 2021. Carrie says they are about “3/8 inch long and possibly 1/8-1/4 wide.”' |
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 Lemon immigrant, caterpillar, Caropsilia pomona, subfamily Coliadinae, family Pieridae. □ This is the fifth and final instar (stage) of the lemon immigrant caterpillar before it transforms into a pupa. From there, it will go through its final transformation into an adult. To see the adult, click here (Butterflies of India website). Adult males are yellow, while females are pale green. See note below. Photographed by: Priti Turakhia. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Sakwar, Maharashtra, India. Date: 21 June, 2021. Priti found several of these caterpillars on a golden shower tree (Senna fistula). This caterpillar will also feed on the leaves of other trees in the genus Senna. |
Cloudless sulphur, caterpillar, Phoebis sennae, subfamily Coliadinae, family Pieridae. □ The caterpillar of the cloudless sulphur has thin black bars on a lemon-yellow background. To see the adult, click here (KnowYourInsects.org butterfly page). Photographed and identified by: Sheldon L. Boyd. Nicely done, Sheldon! Location: The Villages, Florida, USA. Date: 24 August, 2018. |
 Orange barred sulphur, caterpillar, Phoebis philea, subfamily Coliadinae, family Pieridae. □ The orange barred sulphur caterpillar is a rich yellow color with black spots and patterns of small and large vertical bars along the sides. Depending on the state of the caterpillar, the bar can be much more prominent. Photographed and identified to order by: Sheldon L. Boyd. Nicely done, Sheldon! Identified to species by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: The Villages, Florida, USA. Date: 18 September, 2018. |
Gray hairstreak, Strymon melinus, subfamily Theclinae, family Lycaenidae. □ The pattern of deep and soft colors give this gray hairstreak caterpillar a rich appearance. This caterpillar was crawling on a the flower of a California phacelia (Phacelia californica), but will gather nectar from other flowers, too. □ Click on the photo to zoom in and see the visiting ant. Photographed by: Thomas Langhans. Identified by: KnowYourInsects.org. See his full-size images here and here. Location: San Bruno, county of San Mateo, California, USA. Date: 10 October, 2024. Thomas says, “ It was gone the next day. It was moving on the flower all of the time I watched it, kept going around the flower, top to bottom, and usually had one ant on it.” |
Many caterpillars in the gossamer-wing family (Lycaenidae) produce a sugary substance called honeydew from a small organ, called the dorsal nectary organ, located near the caterpillar’s rear end. The honeydew attracts ants, which help defend the caterpillar from potential predators. |
 African apefly, pupae, Spalgis lemolea, subfamily Miletinae, family Lycaenidae. □ These strange-looking insects with the monkey-faced patches on their bodies are pupae of African apeflies. They caused quite a stir in Uganda (where this photo was taken). To read about it, click here (Uganda Radio Network). □ African apefly caterpillars eat mealybugs, particularly papaya mealybugs (Paracoccus marginatus), so they are considered to be beneficial insects. To learn more about these insects, click here (the journal Scientific African), and to see the adult butterflies click here (Tanzanian Birds & Butterflies website). Photo submitted by: Begumisa Magezi Godfrey. Identified to genus by: KnowYourInsects.org. Location: Kasese, western Uganda. Date: 23 February, 2022. |
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