Wierd beastie on my front step

[frankykeno]

Well I went outside for a ciggie break just now and there is the biggest I guess it's a caterpillar on my front step. This thing has to be as big as my pinkie finger and fatter around. It's bright green with a light brownish head but not fuzzy at all.

Anyone have a clue what this thing is? I'm going to google to look it up. It's very pretty almost a lime green really.


~~Jo~~

[Ironhead]

Luna Moth Catterpillar???

Polyphemus Moth Catterpillar???

That's all that I could think of....

[frankykeno]

Very good! Thanks so much!

I googled and it's definitely a Polyphemus Moth caterpillar. I can see why it was hanging out in my front yard as it's eats both birch and maple leaves and we have both there so I'm sure there are more of it's buddies outside. Since we have a really nice mesh bug home thingy I think we will keep this one and watch it pupate and then release it back to the wild. They apparently overwinter in their cocoon.


Example of Polyphemus Moth caterpillar


Example of Polyphemus Moth

They kids have named him Chubby Lumpkins!


~~Joanna~~

[Ginevive]

Those moths are beautiful when they reach adulthood. Sadly, most of the ones I have seen were dead in parking lots, in car grilles, etc. I saw one live one years ago and they are HUGE!

[frankykeno]

From what I've read they have a very short adult lifespan and don't even eat once they emerge. Something about having all the energy they will need stored up during the pupate stage.

Anyway Mr. Chubby Lumpkins is in his lil home with some papertowel substrate and birchbark and a few lovely fresh red maple leaves to munch on. This should be quite interesting for the kid's to watch.

Hmmm wonder when I break it to Mike that he has to haul out a ladder and get me some nice birch leaves from that massive tree out front LOL.


~~Jo~~