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Project Noah Nature School
Citheronia regalis
The largest North American caterpillar. The one pictured here was easily 6 inches long and thicker around than my thumb. This brightly colored, Chinese dragon-esque caterpillar looks quite menacing but is in fact harmless.
Found this one on a Sweetgum sapling, where it had presumably climbed to begin pupation.
Spotted on Sep 14, 2013
Submitted on Sep 24, 2013
5 Comments
Woah! Super cool looking!
Thanks, guys! I couldn't believe it when I found him (which of course was by accident). I learned after the fact that they're harmless...I wasn't risking handling him the way he looks.
Oh wow, that is cool
Very cool!
I thought it looked like a Chinese dragon. I am glad that they are harmless.