Caterpillar Exuvia

Empty caterpillar "skin" hanging on grass in an overgrown backyard habitat.

I'm guessing this is a molt, but I'm not sure? Any ideas are most welcome!

comments (14)

Patomarazul

Lion

Oh, wow! So cool! Posted 6 years ago
1. Flown Kimmerling
  
  Lion
  
  Thank you, Marta! <3 I thought it was a cool finding too! Posted 6 years ago

Stephen Philips

Lion

Fantastic species. Very nice Posted 6 years ago
1. Flown Kimmerling
  
  Lion
  
  Thank you, Stephen! Posted 6 years ago

Christine Young

Lion

This is awesome! I don't think the ID is correct though - I agree that it is a caterpillar exuviae, but if it was Orgyia leucostigma, it would have some darker hair tufts. When IDing caterpillars and their shed skins, it's also important to note how many thoracic legs, anterior prolegs, and anal prolegs are present. I would guess that this could be Spilosoma virginica (there is a white form) or some other arctiid. Posted 6 years ago
1. Flown Kimmerling
  
  Lion
  
  Hmmm interesting! Thanks! I will look in that direction! Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    Could also be Hyphantria cunea. Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Or maybe Estigmene acrea? Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. Flown Kimmerling
        
        Lion
        
        The only thing that is throwing me off is that the upper side (not pictured here as it flew away in the wind before I could photograph) was tufted/shaped like Orgyia (and not like the ones you mentioned. It also had some darker "hairs" on the upper side. I wouldn't have jumped to the initial ID if I hadn't seen that dorsal morphology.
        
        Maybe my memory is failing me :P
        Posted 6 years ago, modified 6 years ago
      2. Flown Kimmerling
        
        Lion
        
        If you zoom in on this photo, you can clearly see the black/gray hairs on the dorsal side in the background Posted 6 years ago, modified 6 years ago
      3. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Hmm, I do see that. What about Lophocampa caryae as a possibility? Posted 6 years ago
        
        Flown Kimmerling
        
        Lion
        
        I will probably leave the ID blank as I can't confirm anything 100 percent. From my memory, the dorsal side had the 4 thick (toothbrush-like) tufts typical of Orgyia leucostigma, however. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Oh, interesting! Posted 6 years ago

Patomarazul

Lion

Very beautiful caterpillar! Posted 5 years ago

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