Cecropia Moth Caterpillar

Description:

This is the caterpillar of North America's largest moth, the Cecropia Moth. It is a large caterpillar. It is a light to medium green with white and yellow protrusions that cover the body.

Habitat:

The cecropia moth is found east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States and southern Canada. The larvae of these moths are most commonly found on Maple trees, but they have been known to feed on Wild Cherry and Birch trees among many others. This one was feeding in a large swamp on Common Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), which grows in wet areas. This one was photographed at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park near Augusta, GA.

Notes:

Pests of the moths have become a huge problem. Parasitoids such as some species of wasps and flies lay their eggs in or on the young caterpillars. The eggs then hatch into larvae, which consume the insides of the caterpillars