Saddleback Caterpillar

[Richard Steele]

This guy was on the side of my house last night,
and when he was still there this morning I brought him
inside for some closeup photos.

Since putting the composite photo together this morning,
I've learned that he's called a "saddleback caterpillar", Sibine stimulea

I've also learned that I was smart to pick him up with
a postcard- turns out those spines are poisonous, and
the sting is described as "very unpleasant".

Sure is purdy, tho, isn't he?

[Reverend_Smitty]

1. Cool

it's got some neat markings, I've never seen one before. It almost doesn't look real...what does he eventually turn into?

[Richard Steele]

5. Apparently, he turns into the very ordinary-looking 'saddleback moth'

Hardly seems fair that he should turn into this:

[Reverend_Smitty]

8. you're right

it's like the reverse ugly duckling syndrome

[GoddessOfGuinness]

9. I wonder if they're still poisonous in their moth phase...

[BarenakedLady]

2. Wow

That is so cool. I've never seen such a creature.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

3. He's beautiful!

I wouldn't have picked him up either...He looks a little scary!

What does he morph into?

[Richard Steele]

6. A very plain moth- I posted a pic above.

[supernova]

4. Haven't seen one in for forever

I've seen one or two before when I was a kid but not lately. He is pretty.

[Richard Steele]

7. I've been stalking the insects in our yard for six years now...

...and this is the first one I've ever seen.

They must be fairly uncommon around here, cuz
they're certainly not well camoflaged.

[supernova]

11. I remember seeing one

out in the yard one time. I was so excited I ran in the house to get momma. But when we came back out, I couldn't find it anymore. :cry:

[scarlet_owl]

10. Very cool!

Caterpillars are so neat.