American Lappet Moth

Phyllodesma americana

Crazy wooly caterpillar. Raised up and slid open panels on back to reveal orange stripes- not sure if they are false or true warning colors

Jacob Gorneau 11 years ago

Phyllodesma americana http://www.discoverlife.org/IM/I_DLW/0000/320/Phyllodesma_americana,_larva,I_DLW71_1.jpg

DanielHernández 11 years ago

que curioso

Jacob Gorneau 11 years ago

Nice spot! Please confirm my ID! Could you add this to my moths mission?
http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/8841...
Thanks!

KarenL 11 years ago

Possibly a dagger moth caterpillar (Acronicta sp.) http://bugguide.net/node/view/322/bgimag...

keithp2012 11 years ago

What species is it?

lori.tas 13 years ago

Yep, occasionally you have to annoy the wildlife to get your shot. ;)

makelly78 13 years ago

Thank you. I think it was the two dozen attempts at getting a good shot that kept him agitated.

lori.tas 13 years ago

This is a very nice photo, and it's great you got it to hold its orange stripes long enough for the photo.

Spotted by
makelly78

Spotted on Mar 8, 2008
Submitted on Dec 19, 2010