Handsome Caterpillar - Citheronia regalis

Moved

… Beatriz Moisset, 13 September, 2009 - 9:40am

Great find for Pennsylvania!

This species is disappearing from its northern range - it's threatened in many states. PA is about as far north as it's usually found these days, and only the southern parts of the state. Bucks Co. is southern, of course, but it's still a VERY good find.

… Abigail M. Parker, 11 September, 2009 - 12:42pm

Montgomery County

I have found it in Militia Hill, Montgomery County.

… Beatriz Moisset, 13 September, 2009 - 9:42am

way cool...

I've never found the beast but it's heartening to know it's around here! Good thing it's so noticeable, I bet it gets photographed a lot more than less-spiky caterpillars so we have quite a bit of information on its current range.

I spent some time looking up the states that had it on their threatened species list (wanted to see if it was on PA's list - it isn't), this web search turned up many of them:
"royal moth" threatened -fritillary

When I'm not at work I'll see if I can get the complete list of states and put it on the Info page.

… Abigail M. Parker, 14 September, 2009 - 9:35am

ID Handsome Caterpillar

Thanks, Abigail!

… dfrost, 13 September, 2009 - 8:58am

Please see...

Regal Moth caterpillar (Citheronia regalis)

In the caterpillar stage it is called a Hickory Horned Devil...

Totally harmless by the way...

Will look like the below image as an adult.

… Ron M., 11 September, 2009 - 10:20am

ID Handsome Caterpillar

Thanks for your ID and images!

… dfrost, 13 September, 2009 - 9:06am