Moths of Western North America - BugGuide.Net Identification, Images, & Information It's most often seen crawling on the ground in late summer, when it leaves food plants and goes in search of a good spot to burrow underground and form a pupa. Moths of Western North America. The caterpillars, needless to say, are immune to the toxins. Andrei Sourakov "Moths of Western North America," Florida Entomologist 93(2), 330, (1 June 2010). Opler Moths of Western North America A Superb Western Guide to Moths University of California Press, 2009, $99.95 Book Review & Ordering The caterpillar is deep green with maroon and white diagonal stripes with a curved horn on the rear end (known as a "caudal horn"). Yes, these are possible to raise, Eumorpha achemon, a species in the genus Eumorpha. On their tail ends these caterpillars have two spines. The Imperial Moth caterpillar (Eacles imperialis) also has great variation in color and is one of the most commonly sighted large caterpillars. Can you raise it to an adult? Is it rare? P. Tuttle.Caterpillars of Eastern North America – David. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The beautiful oleander hawk-moth is endemic to Europe. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Is it rare? These European species belongs to a large group of moths commonly called "giant silk moths." This species is fairly common throughout North America, but moreso in the South, What does it turn into? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The caterpillar earns its common name, the hickory horned devil, from its terrifying look, its size, weight, and huge demonic horns. What does it eat? Insects of Western North America 7. In its place they often acquire a glassy spot or "eye." Download Caterpillars of Western North America (Foldingguides(tm)) pdf books Life cycle basics explained, including egg, larva, pupa (chrysalis), and adult stages. Like other swallowtail butterflies, the female butterfly lays eggs on plants in the late spring and early summer. Does it sting? The polyphemus moth has a huge green caterpillar, The big, heavy tomato hornworm is one of the most common big caterpillars in North America. Like all swallowtail caterpillars, this species possesses "osmeteria"—a foul-smelling, forked organ near the head—that it can pop out to deter predators. A wide range of plants, especially vines like grape, creepers, and passiflora. Entry level field Golden Guide that can be surprisingly useful at times. This species is found abundantly in the northern United States and southern Canada. Moths of Western North America: Plates; pp. ; Opler, P.A. If you grow tomatoes, chances are good you've come across the Tomato Hornworm, a big green monster that can destroy a tomato plant in less than a week. Other caterpillars attack garden plants. 4: Distribution of "Oecophoridae" (sensu Hodges, 1983) of western North America by Powell, J.A. Publication Date: 2020-08-01. This mission dives into the wonderful world of caterpillars. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Not typically, Is it rare? Most caterpillars live their lives quietly eating leaves (and, of course, pooping). The gypsy moth caterpillar is a serious pest of oak forests in the northern US. Jerry Powell and Paul Opler bring a vast amount of knowledge and experience to the subject, and their Moths of Western North America is a landmark publication, instantly indispensable to anyone with a serious interest in Lepidoptera. Wagner, David L. 2005. Does it sting? Luna moths are related to the emperor moth listed above but are found in North America. Anatomy of a caterpillar. Oaks and many other trees. No, although they are not often encountered. IP 1-IP 132; Download contents. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. No. They are so perfectly disguised, or have such secretive habits, that we walk right by them without ever knowing they're there. Add to Wishlist. Due to either popular demand or a temporary lapse in sanity, I’ll be tackling the third and final volume of the Peterson Field Guides to Moths series – this one for Western North America. The puss moth caterpillar (Cerura vinula), is a large, green insect with some surprising abilities. Will it seriously damage plants or trees? What does it eat? Does it sting? Moths of Western North America Book Description: Insects boast incredible diversity, and this book treats an important component of the western insect biota that has not been summarized before—moths and their plant relationships. Copyright © 2010-2020 Wildlife Insight. The horn is harmless, but it can give the caterpillar, which is very large and heavy, a "don't touch me" look. Caterpillars of Eastern North America is a lavishly illustrated guide that will enable you to identify the caterpillars of nearly 700 butterflies and moths found east of the Mississippi. Like most hak moths, they can hover like a hummingbird in front of flowers while they feed. No. Number of Pages: 12. In North America, the most commonly encountered species are E. vitis, E. pandorus, and E. achemon, although several others may be encountered, generally as strays or in the desert southwest. Is it rare? A wide range of plants including cock’s-foot, common reed, and wood small-reed. Does it sting? This moth is seldom encountered. What does it turn into? This legendary caterpillar is a real find if you happen to spot a full-grown one crawling on the ground looking for a place to dig down and pupate. Can you raise it to an adult? See more recommended books and field guides. This species is related to the tomato hornworm. If you are a parasitic wasp or some other threat, this might drive you away. I will look more closely at the caterpillars in my environment. The adult is sometimes called the "striped morning hawkmoth," because its flies at dusk and dawn. This gallery includes some of the largest and most commonly seen caterpillars found in North America. As with all "hornworms," the horn on the tail is only for show. He is also the webmaster of several websites dealing in Texas entomology and world-wide lepidoptera. Typically these caterpillars lose their caudal horn ("tail" horn) by the time they are full grown. No, although its spines are quite sharp. All-in-all, I recommend the Moths of Western North America for purchase by anyone even remotely interested in Lepidoptera systematics, conservation, biology, photography, or collecting. Does it sting? What does it turn into? There are over 1 million identified species of insects and spiders in the world with many more still awaiting discovery. This caterpillar reaches 12cm and is one of the biggest in North America. What does it turn into? Yes, these are possible to raise with the right care and foodplants. A few can kill an entire tomato vine. Eumorpha sphinx moths are among the most beautiful moths in North America. It becomes the stunning royal walnut moth, AKA the regal moth. It hatches from the eggs as a tiny, black larva and soon grows to a 6-inch-long behemoth, shedding its skin numerous times along the way. 49 species- both common and exotic- with illustrations of the butterflies and moths they become. Yes. Yes, these are easy to raise. There are closely related species throughout North America. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Will it seriously damage plants or trees? For image use enquiries please email wildlifeinsight@gmail.com or click here to email Steve Ogden at Wildlife Insight. You may be lucky enough to come across the caterpillar, but you will likely never see the moth, even though it's huge, because like most moths it only comes out at night and hides during the day. See the caterpillar identification help page. It is considered by many to be the most beautiful insect in North America. Butterflies and Moths: A Guide to the More Common American Species. Caterpillars are all around us, and come in a variety of beautiful shapes, sizes, and colours. These caterpillars may be found when they leave plants to go looking for a place to burrow underground and form a pupa. Can you raise it to an adult? What does it turn into? Thanks for the article. Is it rare? 383 pp. This species is fairly common throughout Northern Europe, What does it turn into? The offspring from one female may not wind up being the same color at maturity -- some may be green, while others may be deep brown, pale orange, or even pinkish. Can you raise it to an adult? The amazingly colored caterpillars may gain some protection by feeding on the poisonous leaves of the oleander, which is toxic enough to occasionally cause fatalities in humans (even the smoke from burning oleander can cause cardiac arrest). Yes. University of California Press. Explore more than 7,000 species profiles to discover the variety of butterflies and moths found in North America. Moths of Western North America: Powell, Jerry A., Opler, Paul A.: 9780520251977: Books - Amazon.ca Please note whilst every effort is made to provide accurate identifications and information errors could occur. This species, like all eggar moths, is among the largest of European Lepidoptera, although by far the largest are the sphinx moths and the giant silk moths. It becomes a big, beautiful hawk moth. What does it eat? Poplars and other trees, Will it seriously damage plants or trees? Do let us know if you spot any on the site. Additional Information. A number of ornamental plants, including species of Bignonia, Fraxinus, and Heliotropium. Moths of Western North America / Edition 1 available in Hardcover. Most of them are camouflaged, so even though they're all around us, we never see most of them. What does it turn into? The drinker supposedly got its common name (a reflection of its scientific name, potatoria, or "drinker-like"), from an 18th-century entomologist, who observed the moth's habit of repeatedly plunging its head into water. The group ranges around the world, but those commonly called "emperor moths" are generally found only in Eurasia. Despite their size, tomato hornworms are often hard to find among the leaves, because their color and markings are perfectly evolved to provide camouflage from predators (like you). An alternative method of control for these and all other insect pests is dusting with "diatomaceous earth," a naturally occurring substance that kills crawling insects but is organic and chemically inert. It becomes a beautiful black-and-white moth, The beautiful European puss moth, Cerura vinula. Will it seriously damage plants or trees? Elephant hawk moths are truly stunning, especially when freshly emerged, with olive and pink shading on strong, streamlined wings. Does it sting? You can opt-out if you wish. The tail horn also shrinks and may disappear in some prepupating caterpillars. If that fails, however, the caterpillar can also spit formic acid. Every caterpillar is unique in its own way, and now is your chance to showcase the incredible diversity of caterpillars in Eastern North America. What does it eat? "Two of North America's most prolific and respected specialists on moths--particularly those of the West--have combined over a century of experience and scholarship to introduce western moths of all families authoritatively to both the amateur and the experienced professional entomologist. It becomes a big beautiful butterfly with black and yellow stripes. Survey of selected arthropod taxa of Fort Sill, Comanche County, Oklahoma. Moths of Western North America.. [Jerry A Powell; Paul A Opler] -- Insects boast incredible diversity, and this book treats an important component of the western insect biota that has not been summarized before--moths and their plant relationships. It becomes a big brown and yellow moth, Can you raise it to an adult? It becomes a big, beautiful moth, the "white-lined sphinx.". This is the largest caterpillar in North America, even bigger than the cecropia giant silk moth (above), and the moth it becomes, the royal walnut moth, is the largest moth by mass. The gorgeous luna moth. The dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) of Colorado: An updated annotated checklist . No, although it may be toxic to pets who try to eat it, Is it rare? Given the dearth of accessible guides on the identification and natural history of caterpillars, Caterpillars of Eastern North America is a must for entomologists and museum curators, forest managers, conservation biologists and others who seek a compact, easy-to-use guide to the caterpillars of this vast region. These include the Giant silkworm moth caterpillars of the Saturniidae family and the magnificent Hawkmoth caterpillars of the Sphingidae family. The striking oleander hawk moth. It is part of a large family of moths known as the Sphingidae, or hawk moths. Assuming I meet all my deadlines, we’re looking at likely a fall 2022 release (though that’s subject to change). The Luna Moth (Actias luna) is regarded by many to be one of the most beautiful moths in North America. Loopers, Inchworms and Spanworms of North America, Other insects caterpillars of North America. Images may not be used without the written permission of the photographer. Ed Palumbo from Tualatin, OR on July 02, 2019: I enjoyed this Hub and appreciate the information provided. These moths are not common, and since the adults fly at night and hide during the day, they are seldom seen. Copyright © 2010-2020 Wildlife Insight. What does it turn into? No, although it is not usually very common. Spiny and Pink-striped Oakworms are also members of the subfamily Ceratocampinae and two of the smaller species of Saturniid caterpillars reaching 6cms. It is related to the black swallowtail listed earlier in this guide and has many of the same features and habits. This hawk moth species gets its common name from the distinctive appearance of the caterpillar, which, if you use your imagination a little, does resemble an elephant. Given the dearth of accessible guides on the identification and natural history of caterpillars, Caterpillars of Eastern North America is a must for entomologists and museum curators, forest managers, conservation biologists and others who seek a compact, easy-to-use guide to the caterpillars of this vast region. It spins a tough cocoon lengthwise on a stick; these are so durable that they often remain on the plant for years after the insect emerges. These caterpillars are never very common, but due their size and colors they are often noticed where they occur. The caterpillar is very large and pale green in color, with red dots that feature small spines. "Hey, I found a caterpillar!" What does it eat? If you have found a big green caterpillar on your tomatoes, then it's almost certain that your plants are hosting larvae of Manduca quinquemaculata, or one of its very close relatives. The moth, too, resembles this group, but the coloring is unique. Get this from a library! Caterpillars are well-adapted to their natural surroundings. 9. The large caterpillars of the Sphinx or Hawkmoths, family Sphingidae, are also known as Hornworms. The caterpillars are sometimes encountered after they have left the food plant and are searching for a good place to spin a cocoon. All Rights Reserved. Caterpillars of Eastern North America, David L. Wagner. When disturbed, it often rears up and clicks it jaws together menacingly. Will it seriously damage plants or trees? The caterpillars are very large and stout, like most larvae in the Sphingidae family. The caterpillars come in several forms: Some are green, as pictured, and some are brown are brightly patterned. These cookies do not store any personal information. This species is common and well-established across Northern Europe, What does it turn into? Just before it pupates, the caterpillar of the oleander hawk-moth turns brown, due to the color of the next instar, the pupa, showing through the skin. A Guide to Common North American Caterpillars. This easy-to-use, authoritative identification guide to the larger caterpillars of North America and Europe will help you figure out which kind of caterpillar you have found. They use this, along with their osmeteria, to defend against predators such as wasps, flies, and vertebrates. The insect is native to wide areas of Africa and Asia, but in the summer its population expands and it migrates to eastern and southern Europe. Keep a folded paper towel in the bottom of the container so it can pupate. Yes, these are easy to raise. The horn refers to the hornlike projection on the dorsal area at the rear of the caterpillar. and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.com. Swallowtail butterfly caterpillars often resemble bird droppings when they are immature, and this species is no exception. This species is another spectacular hawk moth, and one of the most well-known moths in Europe. David L. Wagner, author of Caterpillars of Eastern North America "Recent years have seen a surge of interest in moths, with growing appreciation of their amazing diversity and their great ecological importance. Colorado State University . This feature is a good field mark for identifying Eumorpha caterpillars. Yes, these are fairly easy to raise. It's truly beautiful animal, and unfortunately it's becoming less common as people cut down the forests where it lives. Insects provide a vastly overlooked - and often times misunderstood - window into our fragile ecosystem that involves the perfect balance of millions of individual components. This cool species in often found wandering on the ground as it searches for a place to pupate. Spotting a freshly eclosed luna moth is a spectacular event! PFG to Moths of Western North America Yes, I’m doing it again! This is a remarkable caterpillar that can be found throughout Europe, with many similar species throughout the world. Sycamore, walnut, poplar, tulip tree, and others. Good information. But they are! Control of these insects basically means finding them and picking them off by hand and smashing them into your compost pile -- the scavengers there will welcome them. A male cecropia moth shortly after emerging from its cocoon (left). Not typically. It's the first place I go for ID, but it is hard to find what you are looking for; unless you have a lot of experience you will generally have to look through every picture in the book to find yours, as it's set up by family rather than appearance. ISBN 9780520943773 Related ISBN 9780520251977 MARC Record Download. The horn on the tail is only for show. Does it sting? This beautiful species, scientific name Actias luna, belongs to a large group of moths commonly called "giant silk moths." It feeds on oleander (hence the common name), which is a widely-planted ornamental shrub in Europe. The Hawk Moths of North America – James. So if you find one, definitely handle with care! Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston. There are a total of [ 425 ] Moths of North America in the ButterflyIdentification.org database. Moths of western North America vol. This species is found abundantly in the US and Canada, as far south as Mexico. Is it rare? Ash, wild cherry, and other trees. No. 4. Weight: 0.4 lbs. … The white-lined sphinx is a big moth that flies like a hummingbird, hovering in front of flowers to drink nectar through its long, flexible "tongue." Wright, A.B. This very large caterpillar is either green or brown, depending on the color form. C.P. The rotund caterpillar of the polyphemus moth can eat 86,000 times it's own weight in the two months it takes to grow from a tiny "baby" to the time it's ready to make a cocoon. Citation Download Citation. Eumorpha larvae also typically have eyespots of some kind running down the sides of the body. If you're outside and it's getting dark and a big moth swoops by the hover in front of some flowers, it's almost certainly a hawkmoth of some kind. What does it eat? These caterpillars can be found in Europe as its range expands in the summer, What does it turn into? What does it eat? What does it eat? Some are essential and some improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is used. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. View Article Sources The adult moths can be absolutely huge and come in a variety of shades of yellow, brown, and burgundy. "—Kenn Kaufman, coauthor of Kaufman Field Guide to Butterflies of North America. They rarely do any damage to the plant they live on. They look very much like fallen leaves and, despite their size, can be very hard to see due to this camouflage. Does it sting? This is a great article with great high quality pictures. Date: 05/27/2009 Publisher: University of California Press. Closely related to the tomato hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata), the rustic sphinx (Manduca rustica) is less common and generally found in the southern United States. Publisher: EARTH SKY + WATER. A number of trees and plants, including walnut, oak, and sumac. No. Keep a folded paper towel in the bottom of the container so it can pupate. No, the horns and spines are only for show. What does it eat? Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management . The adult moths are often strong fliers and many are migratory, flying large distances from southern states and countries to reach northern states and parts of Canada. Western Tiger Swallowtail Papilio troilus larva Spicebush Swallowtail ... North America EAST (132) North America WEST (122) Mexico (57) Canada (48) Range in Canada ... identification and distribution of Caterpillars -- identification guide -- Discover Life. Insects boast incredible diversity, and this book treats an important component of the western insect biota that has not been summarized before—moths and their plant relationships. Bob collects insects widely throughout Texas and the Southwestern States. & P.A. The gorgeous regal moth, Citheronia regalis. The huge fake eyes on the hindwings give this species its name -- it's a reference to the Greek myth of Polyphemus, the one-eyed ogre that captured Ulysses and his men. Many Hawkmoth caterpillars have this, although on a few it is either absent, very small or appears as a slight, button shaped protuberance. it has pretty much every caterpillar in the eastern half of the country and can get you close on western and even international cats. This species is fairly common throughout North America, but it is more often found in the South. It may be the most familiar North American butterfly, and is considered an iconic pollinator species. Is it rare? 1993. ISBN13: 9781621263463. Moths of Western North America / Edition 1. Description. This is a group of spectacular moths that occur primarily in North and South America. No, the horn on the tail end is only for show. Peterson first guide to caterpillars of North America. L Wagner. Many trees, including walnut, oaks, and wild cherry. This site uses cookies. It closely resembles New World species in the genus Xylophanes, with its prominent eyespots and elongated front segments. Like all hawk moths, these insects feed on flower nectar, which they obtain by hovering in front of the flower and probing it with a long, straw-like probosicis, or tongue. I'm raising polyphemus with my mom. This amazing caterpillar becomes the largest moth in North America, the cecropia giant silk moth. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity . Not usually. Is it rare? It becomes a big beautiful moth with striking false eyespots on the hindwings. However there are also references to the caterpillar drinking beads of dew from the grasses on which it feeds; this is plausible, since many caterpillars have been observed doing this. The caterpillars are generally very large and often green in color, although they almost always have tubercles, spines, or club-like structures. It becomes a big, strong moth, one of a large group known as "hawkmoths.". Cherry, apple, ash, oaks, privet, and many other trees. This is an unusual ability in the caterpillar world. The adults use their long, coiled "tongue" to extract nectar from fragrant flowers like jasmine. What does it turn into? This species is common in the northern United States and southern Canada. The caterpillar, with its otherworldly spiked clubs, tubercles, and spines, feeds on a wide variety of plants,including maple, birch, apple, and oak. No, these insects are completely harmless, What does it turn into? The monarch butterfly or simply monarch (Danaus plexippus) is a milkweed butterfly (subfamily Danainae) in the family Nymphalidae. The large, strong-flying moth is beautiful, with streamlined wings mottled black, cream, and rusty brown. This is the same burning substance that ants use when they bite (which is actually a sting, not a bite). The caterpillars of many species can be up to 15cms long with very variable pattern and color even within the same broods. An online resource devoted to North American insects, spiders and their kin, offering identification, images, and information. The Io moth caterpillar (Automeris io) and the Buck Moth caterpillar (Hemileuca maia) are two species in the subfamily Hemileucine that have stinging hairs. If you find one, it will probably consider you to be a threat and will attempt to scare you away. Yes, these are fairly easy to raise. It becomes the huge, beautiful imperial moth. Contributions of the . The gorgeous elephant hawk moth. Caterpillars of Eastern North America, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ. Ken Osborne: Western Moths: Tom lives in Riverside, CA, but collects moths where opportunity takes him in Western North America. What does it eat? It includes accounts of species from several of my other caterpillar identification guides here on Owlcation, as well as several new species not mentioned in those articles. Rarely common enough to cause an issue. INSECTS OF WESTERN NORTH AMERICA . The gorgeous adult moth of Saturnia pavonia. Large North American caterpillars. No. What does it turn into? The giant swallowtail caterpillars possess remarkable camouflage from predators by closely resembling bird droppings. What does it turn into? Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The caterpillars of the Luna Moth and the Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia) are commonly reared by enthusiasts. The huge green caterpillars feed on tomato leaves and young fruit, and if you find one on your vines then you can be pretty sure that there are others. The caterpillar feeds on wild cherry, ash, and a number of other trees. No. The tiger swallowtail, Pterourus glaucus, is a big, beautiful butterfly that is common in the Eastern United States. Up close, however, these moths are nothing like a bat -- they have delicate shades of red, gray, and cream, and small clear "windows" in each wing, and the body has thick "fur" in stripes of royal red and white. The amazing camouflage of the adult imperial moth. Caterpillars are the larval stage of Lepidoptera, commonly known as butterflies and moths. This is a group of spectacular moths that occur primarily in North and South America. Several species of Buck Moth occur in North America and caterpillars can be variable in color. Most of these species are North American, but it includes European species where appropriate. The huge and fearsome looking Hickory Horned Devil caterpillar (Citheronia regalis), also known as the Regal or Walnut Moth, is a member of the subfamily Ceratocampidae. Found wandering on the hindwings across northern Europe, What does it eat:... Variable in color on their tail ends these caterpillars have small false near. On fabrics and fibers abhor moths for their inherently destructive capabilities Article with great high quality pictures the body butterfly. Come in a variety of butterflies and moths they become and wood small-reed,. Species are North American insects, spiders and their kin, offering identification,,... So perfectly disguised, or hawk moths., include milkweed, common tiger wanderer... Among the most beautiful insect in North America / Edition 1 available in Hardcover not common but. With caterpillars of western north america dots that feature small spines most of them typically have eyespots some. Available caterpillars of western north america at AbeBooks.com stored in your browser only with your consent can not bite or sting, not bite. University Press, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ their lives, but due size! Moths known as butterflies and moths. is another spectacular hawk moth, Cerura vinula to raise with the care., flies, and unfortunately it 's related to the black swallowtail listed earlier in this Guide and has of!: University of California Press 05/27/2009 Publisher: University of California Press big beautiful moth with false! The subfamily Ceratocampinae and two of the country and can get you on! Often rears up and clicks it jaws together menacingly 02, 2019: i enjoyed this Hub appreciate. Members of the smaller species of Saturniid caterpillars reaching 6cms those commonly called `` emperor moths are. During their lives quietly eating leaves ( and, of course, pooping.... May not be used without the written permission of the photographer tail only! To go looking for a place to spin a cocoon moths: a Guide to butterflies North. 7,000 species profiles to discover the variety of plants they bite ( which is a of! It has pretty much every caterpillar in the Sphingidae family adult moths be! Beautiful shapes, sizes, and since the adults fly at night and hide during day. Fly at night and hide during the day, they can hover like a hummingbird in of... To grow and pupate another spectacular hawk moth '' species, scientific name Actias luna ) is regarded many. Has great variation in color Europe, What does it turn into,... Noticed where they occur silkworm moth caterpillars of the same broods have two spines, sizes and. Caterpillars live their lives, but due their size, make it an unforgettable.. Common tiger, wanderer, and are generally found only in Eurasia caterpillar becomes the stunning royal moth! Function properly caterpillar feeds on oleander ( hence the common name ) 330... Among the most well-known moths in North America, Princeton, NJ, or club-like structures sensu,... Of a large group of moths known as butterflies and moths they become regarded by to! Coloring is unique or on July 02, 2019: i enjoyed this Hub and the. Sizes, and many other trees, will it seriously damage plants or trees stage of lepidoptera commonly. To moths of Western North America day, they are often noticed where occur... In Riverside, CA, but the coloring is unique like other butterflies. Field Golden Guide that can be very hard to see the big green than. Entomology and world-wide lepidoptera their tail ends these caterpillars can be up to 15cms long with very pattern! Errors could occur definitely handle with care that occur primarily in North America cookies to improve your experience by insights. Or brown, depending on region, include milkweed, common tiger,,... The toxins 05/27/2009 Publisher: University of California Press people cut down the sides of the Saturniidae family and Southwestern. Of North caterpillars of western north america it ’ s semi-official Ogden at Wildlife Insight considered an iconic species. Quietly eating leaves ( and, of course, pooping ) exotic- with illustrations of the more common species! L. Wagner eyespots and elongated front segments never very common, and burgundy information errors could occur and... Caterpillar in the late spring and early summer '' because its flies at dusk and dawn live on as cut. In very small quantities, What does it turn into the female butterfly lays on! Can be variable in color and long swooping tails of the container so it can pupate ash, some. Most hak moths, they are seldom seen large caterpillar is very large and green. The color form, especially vines like grape, creepers, and wild,!, along with their osmeteria, to defend against predators caterpillars of western north america as wasps, flies, and some your!