CATERPILLARS

Caterpillars hatch from eggs and are the larval stage of butterflies and moths. They are known to be voracious eaters. Most eat plants although about 1% of the species is known to eat other animal products. Their bodies grow rapidly and because their skin does not grow with them they molt to shed their outer (outgrown) layer. Each molt increases the Instar level. By the time the caterpillar reaches its final instar it will molt one more time before pupating into what we commonly call a cocoon. Thus beginning the metamorphosis into a butterfly or moth and starting the cycle all over again.

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BUTTERFLY LARVAE

NYMPHALIDAE FAMILY - Many of these caterpillars have spiky hair or spines to discourage predators. Many have striped or spotted patterns. They become Brush-footed Butterflies.

COMMON BUCKEYE CATERPILLAR	ANICIA CHECKERSPOT CATERPILLAR	MONARCH CATERPILLAR
GULF FRITILLARY CATERPILLAR	QUEEN CATERPILLAR - EARLY INSTAR	SILVERY CHECKERSPOT CATERPILLAR

HESPERIIDAE FAMILY - LEAFROLLERS - These caterpillars typically have a large head with a distinctive "collar" right behind the head. They create shelters by folding over a piece of leaf or tying leaves together and wrapping themselves inside. These caterpillars become Skipper Butterflies.

LARGE CANNA LEAFROLLER CATERPILLAR

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MOTH LARVAE

EREBIDAE FAMILY - FALL FUZZIES - Caterpillars in this family have an obvious head capsule and although some have no hair at all the majority are easily identifiable by their very dense long hairs or their long tufts of hair. A wide variety of moths including Tiger and Wasp Moths come from this family of caterpillars.

OLEANDER CATERPILLAR

SPOTTED OLEANDER CATERPILLAR

BANDED WOOLLY BEAR CATERPILLAR

YELLOW WOOLLY BEAR CATERPILLAR

GIANT LEOPARD WOOLLY BEAR CATERPILLAR

SPOTTED TUSSOCK WOOLLY BEAR CATERPILLAR

WHITE-MARKED TUSSOCK CATERPILLAR

BANDED TUSSOCK CATERPILLAR

GEOMETRIDAE FAMILY - INCHWORMS - Their name is derived from ancient greek word referring to 'measure' and references the way that they walk and how they "measure the earth". Some of these disguise themselves well enough to not easily be distinguished from a tree branch. These caterpillars become Geometer Moths.

UNSPECIFIED

UNSPECIFIED

UNSPECIFIED

UNSPECIFIED

LASIOCAMPIDAE FAMILY - TENT CATERPILLARS AND EGGARS - Colorful and densely hairy, these caterpillars are known for either spinning an egg shaped cocoon or huge, tent-shaped communal webs. They become Snout Moths.

EASTERN TENT CATERPILLAR	FOREST TENT CATERPILLAR

NOCTUIDAE FAMILY - CUTWORMS, ARMYWORMS, SEMI-LOOPERS - Most of these caterpillars have very little hair and are smooth. Often know to cause significant damage to plants and crops. They become moths commonly know as owlet, cutworm or armyworm.

BEET ARMYWORM CATERPILLAR

SWEETPOTATO ARMYWORM CATERPILLAR

LONG-WINGED DAGGER MOTH CATERPILLAR

SPHINGIDAE FAMILY - HORNWORMS - Large, stout and mostly smooth often with a single long posterior horn. They often rest with head and thorax reared like a Sphinx. Some tropical species are known to mimic snakes. In defense they are quick to regurgitate their sticky, often toxic, foregut contents onto their attacker. They become Hawk and Sphinx Moths.

Possibly VIRGINIA CREEPER SPHINX CATERPILLAR	TERSA SPHINX CATERPILLAR

PSYCHIDAE FAMILY - BAGWORMS - Larvae of these form unique spindle-shaped silken cases covered with bits of leaves, twigs, and other debris. Often the female does not leave the case, but attracts males by emitting pheromones from her abdomen. She lays her eggs inside the case with her. When they hatch, larvae crawl away to feed and form their own silken cases. Although females do not form and fly, males become Bagworm Moths.

ABBOT'S BAGWORM CATERPILLAR

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