Wild, Wacky & Wooly Caterpillars in Your Backyard

Lepidoptera — the larval stage of butterflies and moths — come in all shapes and colors. Here are a few especially cool ones you can find around Raleigh.
Words and photographs by Mike Dunn

I have shared my fondness for caterpillars with you in a couple of previous columns, so I hope you don’t mind a bit more. The reason to revisit these amazing creatures is that the theme for this year’s BugFest event at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is the insect order Lepidoptera, or butterflies and moths. If you remember your elementary school lessons on life cycles, you can’t have either of those winged beauties without first having caterpillars. So there will be plenty of excitement and information about this marvelous group of creatures this year.

One of the best things about caterpillars is that they can be found almost everywhere. You can often attract them by planting the right native plants. Although many species of caterpillars are generalist feeders, some are only found on select plants (like the Monarch Butterfly caterpillars, which feed on milkweeds). 

When you find caterpillars, they are fascinating to watch as they grow, molt, form a pupa and ultimately transform to a flying insect. Their variety of “attire” and striking forms are just a couple of the reasons that I have developed such a fascination for these cool crawlers. 

So get outside this month and find the time to look closely and appreciate the wonder and diversity that surrounds us. Take a moment to sit with a caterpillar and admire it. Prepare to be amazed. If you want to know more, find me at the Caterpillarology tent at the museum’s BugFest event on Saturday, Sept. 14, in downtown Raleigh.

Here are a few of my favorite caterpillars that you can find in our area — if you take the time to look hard enough.  

Young Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillars mimic bird poop but change to a snake mimic as they mature. They feed on Spicebush and Sassafras leaves and create shelters by folding part of a leaf with silk. The fake eyes may help deter predators.

Cecropia Moth caterpillars are greenish blue and are adorned with brightly colored knobs armed with thin black spikes. Reaching a length of over 4 inches, they conjure up an image of a weapon that might have been used in medieval battles.

Though some feel the name of Hickory Horned Devil is an apt one for this scary-looking caterpillar, it is harmless. This behemoth is North America’s largest, at 5.5 inches, and can be found feeding on tree leaves throughout the state.

The Curve-lined Owlet seems to have excess appendages at first glance. But the strange appearance actually helps camouflage it among the curly tendrils of the greenbrier vines on which it feeds.
I can’t help but think that this Sycamore Tussock Moth caterpillar resembles some sort of fancy dog that has been gussied up for a show. As the name suggests, they are found on American Sycamore trees.
When disturbed, many of the so-called hornworms or sphinx moth caterpillars, like this Four-horned Sphinx larva, will rise up in a defensive position, ready to thrash their upper body at any potential predator.
Nason’s Slug larvae are small green ovals with two yellow stripes down their back. I love the way they almost seem to glow. The small spines contain a venom that produces a mild sting if touched.
You gotta love the name of this handsome larva: Turbulent Phosphila. This pic looks like a gathering of caterpillars in pin-striped pajamas. Problem is, it’s hard to tell which end is which — can you?
Banded Sphinx Moth caterpillars are highly variable. This red form is stunning with its vivid colors and stripes.

This article originally appeared in the September 2024 issue of WALTER magazine.

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