Can anybody identify this thing, please? I found it on my Knockout rose bush & plucked if off. If it's relatively harmless, I will release. If not, I'm sending it to Caterpillar Heaven. I've never seen one like this before. It's about 2 1/4" long. I am in Central Virginia.
Thank you,
There's Bug ID forum on DG; try there. Those folks are incredible! Usually solved in about 10 minutes....
it's found here:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/bugid/all/
edited to add ez link.
This message was edited Jun 11, 2008 6:48 PM
Thank you. I will try that.
It might be a buck moth, or a closely related species. Buck moth larvae's spines can sting, and their appearance is highly variable. Do you have oak trees?
Buck moth = Hemileuca maia
http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?search=Hemileuca+maia
http://pick5.pick.uga.edu/mp/20p?see=I_DLW15&res=640
I think you have nailed it, claypa. We have lots of oak trees around here and other photos I see of the buck moth caterpillar on the Internet look very much like this thing. Plus, it seems it also will eat rose leaves.
Thank you so much for the help!
Lyla
