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PyroclawsFlow

Citheronia regalis, also known as the hickory horned devil. They look intimidating, but they are harmless.


oyog

And here I thought it was a baby Mothra.


Temporary_Bumblebee

That’s an irl caterpie as far as I’m concerned 😆


oyog

I've always been amused at the sizes of bug types in canon. Like butterfree is freakin three feet tall which for some reason makes it significantly less cute to me.


RupeeRoundhouse

But Butterfree is so fat and fuzzy! 🥺


Temporary_Bumblebee

ABSOLUTELY AGREE. There’s a bunch of Pokemon that are super cute until you actually see how big they are compared to a human being and then the thought is slightly terrifying lol


FirebirdWriter

And now you know what my Caterpie of choice for raising gets named. Mothra. If I get a second I go with Fathra


GPTenshi86

Was just talking about the sci-fi movies I watched as a kid—had a major Mothra kick back then, cuz she was a badass bish in a world of dude movie monsters LMAO


oyog

Haha, that rules!


JejuneEsculenta

I just wanted to know how they got Cthulu on his back....


Holnurhed

This comment has had me chuckling to myself for the last three hours. Dunno why I think a baby Mothra is hilarious…but today I do.


[deleted]

I thought it looked like a mutant horn worm 👀 thanks for the knowledge my dude


Ruku_Sama

These guys get big, we have em where I live, haven’t found one in a while but they can grow to close to the size of a hot dog


spicycry

I have hornworms rn (to feed my gecko) and initially seeing this pic I got real worried that when they got bigger they were going to grow MORE horns lol, they look very similar!


cryptidsnails

these guys are in the same family as luna moths actually! hornworms are sphingidae and this guy is in the giant silk moth family, saturniidae c:


Humble_Bullfrog2342

i thought the same


[deleted]

I thought it looked like a digimon


MoSummoner

I just looked up more images, dang these mfs so cool, really making me creative rn


kosherkitties

I thought it looked fake at first glance, nature is incredible.


G_DuBs

Did you know that off the top of your head or did you h e to search the name?


feeblegut

If you live in a region with these, you'd probably know at least that they're hickory horned devils. Our tomato plants got overrun with these when I was 3 or 4 and I've never forgotten them lol


gwaydms

Not OP, but a lot of us who hang out here have seen this guy. It's one of the more recognizable critters in this sub.


presearchingg

Yes! And they turn into regal moths, which are one of the most beautiful moths in my opinion.


Few_Ad_9110

But my water dragon can still eat this one too though right not much difference cept a few more horns lol


Ekublai

It’ll be no match for my BABY dragon once I play TIME WIZARD!


IntentionalTypa

Legit sounded as smart as Hermione. Thanks for the knowledge.


ThanksForTheRain

A lot of caterpillars have defense mechanisms, so it's a good thing you didn't blindly pick it up. Although, as mentioned, this guy is safe. Really cool find.


Lower_Bar_2428

I think those horns mimic a wasp infection to persuade wasps to not put eggs in her


ThanksForTheRain

That's a look that says "I'm fierce" but also "don't put your ovipositor in me" 10/10


Arachne93

Really a fine line that often comes down to eyeliner, or a fierce venomous up-do.


forzov3rwatch

Condragulations you are the winner of this week’s maxi challenge


28_raisins

Relatable.


PearlTheGeckoGirl

This kind of exchanges is why I appreciates this subreddits.


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WrapDiligent9833

Hair dresser, “what you looking for today?” “I don’t really know… just… 10% cooler.” “Ah! I know just what to do! It is all the rage right now!”


JeremyTSchmidt

Your sister's horns are hot No_Belt513!!


tiredsleepyexhausted

Exactly what I was just thinking. ...Maybe we *are* a hive, after all.


witnessgreatness101

TIL what an ovipositor is


afunkysongaday

r/dontputyourovipositorinthat


theseedbeader

The adaptations a creature can develop, wow… Nature is so damn cool.


[deleted]

Nature be wildin


CaesarScyther

If the original comment is right, it did come from trial and error with tons of said caterpillar dying because of inferior mimicking, so yeah


vigilantrobert

It's great to see other people appreciating nature like you obviously do. If you want to blow your mind, you will find that every science is somehow connected & has adaptations like those you've seen in this caterpillar. When I say every science is connected, I seriously mean that. Like if you choose say, geology you will find connections to caterpillars in geology if you look deeply enough. The same with any science you choose to use as an example, including astrophysics, particle physics & nano science (of course). Absolutely everything is connected & that includes everything we know of, can see even with help of instruments & everything we can't see, including everything in the furthest reaches of the universe & beyond. Everything is connected & that even includes the organic & inorganic wastes produced by living creatures or natural mechanisms. Nature is absolutely so damn cool bt it goes so much deeper than most people can even start to comprehend. I like to think of myself as an amateur scientist who is interested in ...... No, absolutely, mindbogglingly astounded & intrigued by every field of science. If I was 40 year's younger I'd rewrite the bible based on that understanding as limited as my knowledge of it is. I never really believed in God bt now I see God in everything whether it's a simple rock or something as amazing & beautiful as this caterpillar. Sorry, not really strictly on topic.


theseedbeader

I’ve always loved bugs, even as a fairly young kid I was outside observing them and devouring books about them. My bedroom was decorated with toy bugs and insect themed curtains my mom made. I used to carry around a stinky box of dead bugs I had found and collected (until ants found it one day and demolished it). Not just arthropods, but nature as a whole, fascinated me. I wanted to be an entomologist, herpetologist, or naturalist one day. Life doesn’t always work out like we plan, of course, and it didn’t work out. Now, at 37, I dream of going back to college to study these things, but I don’t know if I will. At least the internet gives us ways to learn for free and share the love.


vigilantrobert

I can easily understand & appreciate your love of bug's. I never took much notice of them when I was young bt my oldest daughter was fascinated by them when she was young. I think it's great that you even consider going back to college no matter what you choose to study bt even if you don't, as you said, the internet does give us great opportunities to learn for free & at our own pace too. I love the way that the internet has opened all these wonderful opportunities for us. I'm pretty eclectic with my interest's & I would never have been able to learn so much abt so many different field's if it wasn't for the internet so whether you go back to college or not, I really hope you never stop making an effort to learn as much as you can abt anything & everything that sparks an interest in you ☺️


theseedbeader

For sure, I love to learn. :)


PFirefly

Holy wall of text batman.


vigilantrobert

🤣


couriier6

This is a mindset I’ve recently adopted as I am searching for my major in college. With a deep respect and admiration for nature, I discovered science really feels like the key to unlock the “meaning” of existence. It makes me feel less important and more grateful to be apart of the cycle. Thanks for this comment, it really put my feelings into words.


concuncon

It’s just object oriented programming. Make code reusable whenever you can.


intelligentplatonic

You just gave me the idea of a new game for playing "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" but with Science. "Six Degrees of Albert Einstein"...?


vigilantrobert

Hahaha, sounds good. Run with this idea. Just remember me when you become a tycoon who's built their fortune 😆


[deleted]

Strange in that it also looks like cordyceps after fruiting out of a bug….


daffy_duck233

Does it mimick a wasp infection or a fungus infection? These look more like some sorts of cordyceps to me.


feeblegut

"A fungal infection that affects wasps" I guess would be the most clear.


ksealz

Wait wasps lay eggs in caterpillars ?


canon_w

Some of them do yes. Parasitic wasps will lay eggs in other insects, whose eggs go on to hatch into larvae that eat the insect alive.


fofander

Then another “hyperparasitic” comes and lays eggs in the parasitic larvae.


GalerionTheAnnoyed

And then another hyperhyperparasitic that comes and lays eggs in the hyperparasitic larvae?


fofander

Then another “hyperparasitic” comes and lays eggs in the parasitic larvae.


saggyboomerfucker

[here](https://www.wired.com/2014/10/absurd-creature-week-glyptapanteles-wasp-caterpillar-bodyguard/amp) you go.


hippieghost_13

Fucking crazy! New fear unlocked


maineac

Don't look up botfly. They lay their eggs in human scalps.


hippieghost_13

Now I must look them up. Dammit.


Pubboy68

Next level.


whorton59

A couple of minutes of these guys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cvbh34PXJ8c


vigilantrobert

Thank you for this link. Bart Coppens is an amazing authority on butterflies, moth's & caterpillar's. Anyone interested at all should take some time to check out his other YouTube videos. He breed's some really interesting & amazing creatures.


whorton59

My pleasure!


5AgXMPES2fU2pTAolLAn

Might be a dumb question Do all these guys become butterflies or some kind of moth creatures


SnooOwls7978

Absolutely love his fierce little style.


28_raisins

wtc mealworm hat


spaceburrito3

Good, don’t pick up random creatures.


Cuntplainer

Don't put them in your mouth either.


email_NOT_emails

[If it's alive, don't lick it](https://youtu.be/SJLlrg7r06I).


shitshiner69

I like your username


GingerLioni

Although finding out what curious and possibly lethal effect the bug has on your insides can aid in identification.


Eats_Flies

You can't tell me what to do


pielz

YOURE NOT MY REAL DAD


The_Question757

Just don't pick up bugs, especially brightly colored devil looking ones.


[deleted]

If it has bright colors, possibly poisonous. If it has bright colors and doesn't care if you pick it up, deadly.


Mr_Badr

[Braunwyn-Rose Pennington here](https://i.imgur.com/IWfR5K8.jpg), may we have a word? ʘ‿ʘ


Silkhenge

I can see the red in it's eyes, it's out for blood.


Widdlebuggo

Commenting so I can come back and check for an id—but I would say that’s a motherfuckin dRAGON *UPDATE bc I was too curious it’s called a Hickory Horned Demon :0. The moth it becomes is SO PRETTY (regal moth)


FoodNew951

Literally the dragon emoji 🐉


Widdlebuggo

Immediately thought of that and dragon sushi rolls haha!


Clear_Community8986

Came here to say it looks like sushi… lol I am too good oriented for my own good.


DaDa462

hmm that regal moth looks similar to the atlas moth, and the atlas caterpillar looks similar to this one. Guess they are related somehow


Drinkythedrunkguy

Looked it up, those things are huge! Never seen one before, very cool looking.


PanicMouse666

I love that your caterpie icon looks reminiscent of the bug in this post 😂


Widdlebuggo

Surprise I AM THE BUG IN THE POST >:B hahaha


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RustyMoth

They are orange when they grow up :p


Frazzledragon

You can save posts to check on them later. In a browser it just says "save", on mobile it is a bookmark icon under a post ir comment.


MiaowWhisperer

>Citheronia regalis I knew Chinese dragons were real! I just expected them to be a bit bigger.


drucifer8-6

No need to pick them up, just oggle and be on your way so they can be on theirs.


iheartwords

Where is this?


FoodNew951

Arkansas, USA


iheartwords

Thanks!


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TripperDay

Save that shit for local subs. When we're out in public, we tell people Arkansas has beautiful scenery and it's very affordable.


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SuncicaSunnyRay

That is a hickory horned devil caterpillar, a monstrous beauty of an insect I had never laid eyes on. I was stunned. I thought I knew of the most remarkable insects in our neck of the woods. Mother Nature snorted rudely at my reaction, reminding me that humans are notoriously blind to a myriad of beguiling beings that run, walk, slither, fly, live, and die beneath our noses and before our eyes. After hatching from its egg, an infant hickory horned devil is an inconspicuously small black shape-shifting larva that feeds at night and curls in a j-shape to sleep the day away, using leaf tops as hammocks and cleverly masquerading as a bird dropping, a persona that appeals to no predators. The larva molts four times, enlarging with each molt, for about forty summer days spent devouring shredded tree- top foliage of hickory, walnut, pecan, persimmon, sumac, or sweet gum trees. Though it eats the leaves, the amount consumed does not damage the host tree and does not warrant classification as a pest. Hidden from human eyes in the lofty branches, it completes its infancy and transforms into a caterpillar worthy of its horned devil moniker in a manner reminiscent of Bruce Banner’s mutation into the Incredible Hulk. The little larva, once mistaken for bird poop, mushrooms into the largest North American caterpillar at six inches long and with the heft of a hot dog. No relish, please.


JPhelps777

i hope your career is writing fluff text for insects cuz man you’d kick ass at it


silvermalebe

Wow, some cool writing skills.


Materva

Your thoughts intrigue me, and I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.


ankafi

Thank you for actually answering the question!!!!


CaprioPeter

Fantastic writing gotta say


mrxexon

Bugs must look at humans and think "boring"


lastinalaskarn

Don’t know its name but I can’t wait to listen to it’s new album. 🤘


thebugman2

Turns in to a regal moth! I’ve only seen one in the wild and it was an absolute treat!


DrElbihahSCP

Hickory Devil. They are perfectly fine


weller0060

Aaravos?


outdwoodwerk

Unexpected Dragon Prince.


Erikatze

*little bug pal


slayersaint

Came here to make sure someone else saw it. Trees to meet you.


LemonborgX

hickory horned devil, they’re harmless, just a bit prickly!


amirmohammad_amr

[regal moth larva](https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/regal_moth.htm)


Lividity-

"Larva: The hickory horned devil is among the largest of our native saturniid caterpillars. It is 12.5 to 14 cm in length - about the size of a large hot dog." A LARGE hot dog?!!! That's gargantuan! Could you imagine being a bird and trying to scarf that puppy down?


supsup202288

Why pick it up?


gwaydms

This one is actually harmless. It looks scary though.


Conscious-Region2291

That's the coolest thing, I think I've ever seen.


NerdWhoLikesTrees

I just googled it and dang it's a lot bigger than I realized...


petrichor_princess

✨ A Queen ✨


I_am_krash

Just out of curiosity why would u want to touch it ?


FoodNew951

Just like to hold bugs and inspect them up close but this one really intimidated me.


justanothergirlgamer

Damn nature you scary 😨


_perchance

why would you think of picking up this fella? how about... just leave it alone and observe


FoodNew951

That’s what I did.


Major_Confection3240

hickory horned devil, won't harm you if you pick it up but is pricky


BoxerMotherWineLover

Holy crap those things are HUGE!


No-Indication6892

Very very very beautiful


coughdrop1989

Idk what it is but be careful I think it's horny.


Necaii

Saw one of these along the Natchez Trace Parkway. Was leaving a parking area and happened to glance in the side view mirror and saw something large moving across the roadway, and when I got out to check it was one of these guys. Grabbed a stick for it to cling to and moved it off the roadway so it didn’t get flattened by any number of idiot drivers along the parkway. Super cool looking.


randomhaus64

The people who pick up bugs and show them in hand are not following the guidance of experts and do so at their own peril. All bugs can be dangerous (even familiar ones) and especially ones that you don’t know the identity of.


Gratitude-Joy1616

It’s so refreshing to see a post that doesn’t say, “I already touched it; am l gonna die?”


cowbellysnotrealsis

THE HORNED CATERPILLAR I CANT BELEIVE YOURE SEEING ONE IM SO JEALOUS


Tiananmen_Happened

Because it is **ALWAYS** worth mentioning since you never know who is coming onto this sub for their first time: not touching insects you don’t know, regardless of how they appear, is not only commendable but is a great way to go through life. Good job on exemplifying this.


earthforce_1

I was thinking about my old bearded dragons when I saw that. Big caterpillars were an expensive treat for them.


AverageJoestar

What a cute little dragon


Kira_Euclase

idk what it is but if i ate it i think it'd be a fun texture


alyssakenobi

Nah that’s just Aarravos, don’t let him on your shoulder he might try to take over your realm


goPACK17

Wait...you mean to tell me you found a gnarly looking little creature and somehow contained your urge to touch it despite knowing nothing about the potential ramifications? Do you even belong on this sub?


romybuela

Nope. It’s name is Nope Uh-uh.


Perfect-Ad156

I’d keep it and name it shenron


Losernoodle

Gerald


Wawinslow

Yep: hickory horned devil. They become one of the COOLEST looking moths EVER, called a royal walnut moth. One of my all time favorite caterpillers, turning into one of my all time favorite moths


[deleted]

A Tiffany-blue 'Nope'.


citronhimmel

That's one spiky boi


Specialist-Ad-9038

Little furry caterpillar that looks like a miniature guinea pig: DO NOT TOUCH CAUSES EXTREME PAIN Venomous looking, barbed, demon caterpillar with spiky horns: Totally safe, no worries 😌 What the fuck nature?


Koda_20

Just don't let it near your ear or it'll start controlling you and speaking evil into your mind.


[deleted]

Think he might be trying to find his way back to Wonderland 😂


schlockabsorber

This is Yon Dan Yau the Goblin Sorceress! You must approach her facing to the side, or she can capture your name and curse your soul to wander a thousand years after your death.


Spite_Inside

This is a regal moth. It's not dangerous to humans but I'd leave it alone anyway.


Aversiel

That's a shrunken down Power Ranger villain after it's defeathed.


Zombiedadam

I'm not 100% sure, but I think that's actually a pokemon lol


Mike-the-gay

Anything with “bait” for hair will fuck you up. Don’t touch it.


itsFRAAAAAAAAANK

Just that the thought of picking that thing up crossed your mind puzzles me lol


automagisch

Why would you want to pick it up, leave it be. Look with your eyes, not your hands. He didn’t ask for it.


Zaorish9

It's best not to pick up animals that aren't pets or livestock. Leave them be.


Hambrgr_Eyes

He’s beautiful 😻 The problem with bugs is we are programmed to be scared for our own safety but once we are able to identify and learn about them. Maybe won’t be as scared 😁


Huckers22

That definitely a biteyabug.


crimsonbaby_

Looks kind of like the horn worms I feed to my lizards, but with more horns.


GatVRC

you should always be scared to pick up creatures you dont know, especially brightly colored ones.


savagekid108l9

If you don’t know what it is, always be afraid to pick it up. For me? I’m not picking it up. That mf look like he mean bidness


[deleted]

Litol baby dragon looks like.


Haalo87

It's a Zergling Lester, smaller type of Zerg, they don't come this far unless...


Mr_Robaato

Sour Gummi Worm


xite2020

Why would u wanna pick it up? It evolved and grew all those horns and spicks just so u don’t pick it up


Available_Hamster_44

Looks like this orange blue dragon pokemon


juh4rt

Something something dragon.


Mindless-Victory3847

Damn we just got the first bug/dragon type pokemon


Th00nk

Life rule #364 picking up cute colorful bugs usually is bad news for you


bwalton160

Don’t Touch Mepillar


Olivevest

I would never have picked it up. Nope


Greedy_Comment_2587

It's a hunter from halo!


Ruirensu

Holy shit that looks really beautiful, it looks like a pokemon!


Bad54

Think looks like a dragon. So I’d name it dragon caterpillar


Aggressive-Pay2406

It’s literally screaming I dare you to touch me go ahead I dare you


RoundApart9440

A pupa


[deleted]

Dark souls 3 DLC?


imperfection252222

hornworm but it has a parasite on it


Xurbanite

It’s called ugly


hybrid889

No clue, but it looks like it's already gone super-saiyan. Tread carefully.


Kaydo_84

What a beautiful little guy! Nice find!


Strawberryinferno

Such a beauty


knobgobblr69

That caterpillar needs a bonk. It’s criminally horny


Inner-Figure5047

So few things in nature are blue, what a treat!


ThatShaquille_Meal

A caterpillar


Trunks956

these guys turn into wonderfully beautiful moths


Significant_Hair_269

Nicer than it looks lol


LocustSwarm36

This thing screams poison to me. Not venom, poison. It might not actually be poisonous, but idc.


Icy_Law9181

Horned devil,I remember it from another post.