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Photo#336520
Caterpillar - Anisota stigma
Copyright © 2009 Darryl N Searcy

Caterpillar - Anisota stigma
Range, Conecuh County, Alabama, USA
September 23, 2009
Size: 2.4 inch
Orange caterpillar that seemed to have lost its way. Trees and shrubs from which it might have come are maple, oak, tea olive, hydrangea, vinca, dogwood, and tung. Any help to identify will be gratefully received.
Contributed by Darryl N Searcy on 24 September, 2009 - 10:05am
Last updated 26 September, 2009 - 9:31pm

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… Abigail Parker, 26 September, 2009 - 9:31pm

Thank you
Thank you all. The Spiny Oakworm is prolific here this time of year. I appreciate all your help.
… Darryl N Searcy, 24 September, 2009 - 3:58pm

getting ready to pupate
When caterpillars are ready to pupate, they leave their foodplant and wander around, sometimes quite a distance, looking for a safe place to build a cocoon. Some of them pupate underground and want to dig in the dirt, I don't know if this species is one of those.
… Abigail Parker, 24 September, 2009 - 11:58am

I think Seb may be correct.
It looks like Anisota stigma (Spiny Oakworm) comparing your photo with the one in my caterpillar book.
… R Banet, 24 September, 2009 - 11:44am

My really fast guess
That's probably inaccurate is Anisota stigma
… Seb, 24 September, 2009 - 11:08am

I'd check in Ceratocampinae
I'm kind of pressed for time right now otherwise I'd do some more looking but I think it's probably a member of Ceratocampinae>, so I'd check there.
… Seb, 24 September, 2009 - 11:04am

 
Spiny Oakworm, Anisota stigma
Given locality, that helps narrow it down. It's likely Anisota stigma, the Spiny Oakworm.

Saturniidae: Ceratocampinae (syn. Citheroniinae); Anisota

http://bugguide.net/node/view/441/bgimage
… Bill Reynolds, 24 September, 2009 - 12:55pm

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