Knowledgebase
What is my caterpillar? #725323
Asked September 19, 2020, 4:05 PM EDT
Found a caterpillar under my white pine while pulling some weeds. It's about twice the size of an Isabella Tiger Moth caterpillar, all black, furry, but when rolled up in a ball has red banding around it's body. Any ideas what my caterpillar is?
Kent County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
Perhaps the giant leopard moth caterpillar-
https://bugguide.net/node/view/919839
Range: Massachusetts and southern Ontario to Florida, west to Michigan, Missouri, and Texas.
Flight: April to September.
Caterpillar Hosts: Wide variety, including banana, cabbage, cherry, dandelion, maples, orange, sunflowers, violets, and willows.
No caterpillars are poisonous in Michigan, but some people can develop a rash if they handle hairy caterpillars.
