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Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar - Lochmaeus manteo Physically very similar to Lochmaeus bilineata, but I&#039;ve identified this as Lochmaeus manteo because of the timing - from what I understand, bilineata adults aren&#039;t on wing past August in the north.<br /> <br /> Habitat: Oak saplings in a meadow<br /> <br /> These caterpillars can spray formic acid, which is reported to cause blisters or severely irritate human skin. So, obviously, I did not handle these.<br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/84486/variable_oakleaf_caterpillar_-_lochmaeus_manteo.html" title="Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar - Lochmaeus manteo"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3232/84486_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=lLZrZSP5%2BIIJYLg1XrORwucRrEE%3D" width="200" height="142" alt="Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar - Lochmaeus manteo Physically very similar to Lochmaeus bilineata, but I&#039;ve identified this as Lochmaeus manteo because of the timing - from what I understand, bilineata adults aren&#039;t on wing past August in the north.<br /> <br /> Habitat: Oak saplings in a meadow<br /> <br /> These caterpillars can spray formic acid, which is reported to cause blisters or severely irritate human skin. So, obviously, I did not handle these.<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/84484/variable_oakleaf_caterpillar_-_lochmaeus_manteo.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/84485/variable_oakleaf_caterpillar_-_lochmaeus_manteo.html Geotagged,Lochmaeus manteo,Summer,United States,Variable oakleaf caterpillar moth" /></a></figure><br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/84485/variable_oakleaf_caterpillar_-_lochmaeus_manteo.html" title="Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar - Lochmaeus manteo"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3232/84485_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=6ZDu0GsgrFwL1Iv%2FZgtdOKG8Q2A%3D" width="200" height="150" alt="Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar - Lochmaeus manteo Physically very similar to Lochmaeus bilineata, but I&#039;ve identified this as Lochmaeus manteo because of the timing - from what I understand, bilineata adults aren&#039;t on wing past August in the north.<br /> <br /> Habitat: Oak saplings in a meadow<br /> <br /> These caterpillars can spray formic acid, which is reported to cause blisters or severely irritate human skin. So, obviously, I did not handle these.<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/84484/variable_oakleaf_caterpillar_-_lochmaeus_manteo.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/84486/variable_oakleaf_caterpillar_-_lochmaeus_manteo.html Geotagged,Lochmaeus manteo,Summer,United States,Variable oakleaf caterpillar moth" /></a></figure> Geotagged,Lochmaeus,Lochmaeus manteo,Summer,United States,Variable oakleaf caterpillar moth,caterpillar Click/tap to enlarge PromotedSpecies introCountry intro

Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar - Lochmaeus manteo

Physically very similar to Lochmaeus bilineata, but I've identified this as Lochmaeus manteo because of the timing - from what I understand, bilineata adults aren't on wing past August in the north.

Habitat: Oak saplings in a meadow

These caterpillars can spray formic acid, which is reported to cause blisters or severely irritate human skin. So, obviously, I did not handle these.

Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar - Lochmaeus manteo Physically very similar to Lochmaeus bilineata, but I've identified this as Lochmaeus manteo because of the timing - from what I understand, bilineata adults aren't on wing past August in the north.<br /> <br /> Habitat: Oak saplings in a meadow<br /> <br /> These caterpillars can spray formic acid, which is reported to cause blisters or severely irritate human skin. So, obviously, I did not handle these.<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/84484/variable_oakleaf_caterpillar_-_lochmaeus_manteo.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/84485/variable_oakleaf_caterpillar_-_lochmaeus_manteo.html Geotagged,Lochmaeus manteo,Summer,United States,Variable oakleaf caterpillar moth

Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar - Lochmaeus manteo Physically very similar to Lochmaeus bilineata, but I've identified this as Lochmaeus manteo because of the timing - from what I understand, bilineata adults aren't on wing past August in the north.<br /> <br /> Habitat: Oak saplings in a meadow<br /> <br /> These caterpillars can spray formic acid, which is reported to cause blisters or severely irritate human skin. So, obviously, I did not handle these.<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/84484/variable_oakleaf_caterpillar_-_lochmaeus_manteo.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/84486/variable_oakleaf_caterpillar_-_lochmaeus_manteo.html Geotagged,Lochmaeus manteo,Summer,United States,Variable oakleaf caterpillar moth

    comments (6)

  1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
    Ferdy Christant
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    Wow, very tropical appearance! Posted 5 years ago
    1. View Christine Young's profile
      Christine Young
      Lion
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      Yes! And, when I touched the leaf, it reared up its posterior end. I let that leaf go pretty quick as I didn't want to get sprayed. Posted 5 years ago
  3. View Patomarazul's profile
    Patomarazul
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    What a beauty! Posted 5 years ago
    1. View Christine Young's profile
      Christine Young
      Lion
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      Thanks! It was a nice surprise - I almost skipped the meadow where I found it. Posted 5 years ago
  5. View Ernst's profile
    Ernst
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    That is an amazing image. Must have been exiting to find that one. Posted 5 years ago
    1. View Christine Young's profile
      Christine Young
      Lion
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      Thanks Ernst! It was! When I first spotted it, from a distance, I thought it was just another hard-to-Identify green caterpillar. I'm glad I took a closer look! Posted 5 years ago

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The Variable oakleaf caterpillar moth

''Lochmaeus manteo'', the variable oakleaf caterpillar moth, is a moth of the family Notodontidae. It is found in eastern North America.

The wingspan is 37–50 mm. Adults are on wing from April to October.

The larvae feed on various deciduous trees, especially ''Quercus'' species. The larva can spray formic acid which is reported to cause blisters or severely irritate human skin.

Info 6 0
Similar species: Moths And Butterflies
Species identified by Christine Young
View Christine Young's profile

By Christine Young

All rights reserved
Uploaded Sep 15, 2019. Captured Sep 15, 2019 09:54 in 91 Main St, Sharon, CT 06069, USA.
country flag of United States of America Explore United States of America 39,925 9,640 8
  • Canon EOS 80D
  • f/6.3
  • 1/197s
  • ISO400
  • 100mm
Captured in the summer. More summer photos.

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