Pictures of Caterpillars

I've made a folder on my computer to hold all the caterpillar pictures I've taken over the years. If I held that virtual folder in my real hands it would be stuffed so full of prints that they'd be falling out on the floor. Just for fun I decided to pick out my favorite photos of caterpillars and share them on this page. I also love photographing the miraculous moths and butterflies these critters turn into, but moths and butterflies rarely sit still for photography! For me, these caterpillars are much easier to photograph.

At the time of publishing this article I've add photos of seven amazing caterpillars. I hope to add more and more as I find and photograph them.

Where I found it: Jacksonville, Florida

What plant was it on? Sassafrass? Can't remember

Did I raise it to moth/butterfly? No

Scientific name: Papilio troilus

Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillars go through different stages (instars) and look completely different along the way. This stage is the last one before it makes a chrysalis.  I took this photo while attending a butterfly class by butterfly expert Mark Minnow. To say I enjoyed the class would be putting it lightly. It was such fun to be around other people who also loved and studied butterflies. I was so impressed by this caterpillar I immediately purchased a host plant (a spicebush) for my own yard and yes! I eventually had a caterpillar just like this on my plant.

Where I found it: Jacksonville, Florida while on a nature walk

What plant was it on? Wild cherry tree

Did I raise it to moth/butterfly? Yes

Scientific name: Furcula borealis

I found these 2 caterpillars by accident. I drove all the way home with them not knowing they were on the same branch with a tent caterpillar i was after. Even with the internet it was hard to identify these little guys. I searched terms such as forked tail, spiked tail, tail in two parts, green, yellow, saddle etc. and finally identified it. I also sent my findings and photos to What's that Bug to confirm the ID. And they published my photos and comments! It made me feel great to see my very own photos on the web. By the way, What's that Bug is the best insect ID website in the world. If you go there, I'm just warning you that you'll be there for hours.

See the cocoon and moth this caterpillar turned into:

Where I found it: Washington Oaks State Park, Palm Coast, Florida

What plant was it on? it was crawling along a path

Did I raise it to moth/butterfly? No

Scientific name: Seirarctia echo

My daughter actually found this one just before she stepped on it. How handsome! It is large and has orange spikes (also described as fuzzy orange) with a black body and yellow ribs, rings or some call them stripes. It's the first Echo moth caterpillar we've ever seen. Since this little guy wasn't on a plant, it was probably ready to undergo metamophasis and was crawling away from it's host plant on the way to a safe place to change.

Where I found it: Jacksonville, Florida

What plant was it on? Penta!

Did I raise it to moth/butterfly? Yes

Scientific name: Xylophanes tersa

Isn't this moth caterpillar amazing? Those "eyes" are enough to scare off many predators. They really aren't eyes though, they are actually called "eye spots" and make the caterpillar look bigger. We raised this little critter and if I remember correctly he turned brown after this green stage.

See the moth this caterpillar turned into:

Where I found it: Columbia, South Carolina - at Mom's

What plant was it on? Sassafrass Tree

Did I raise it to moth/butterfly? No

Scientific name: Not sure

Looking through my new Caterpillars of Eastern North America Guide, this looks most like the Definite Tussock Moth, although the picture in the guide doesn't have the red spots along the back. Everything else is the same. If you happen to know about this caterpillar and/or moth please tell me in the guestbook. Thanks!

Where I found it: Columbia, South Carolina in my mom's yard.

What plant was it on: Hawthorn

Did I raise it to moth/butterfly? I didn't, but my mom did.

Very slight movement from the leaf of a Hawthorn tree caught my eye and this is what I found. This is the only Red-spotted Purple Butterfly caterpillar I've ever seen and it is a prize for me. One look at the butterfly and you'll see why some witty butterfly afficianados call it the Orange Spotted Blue instead. These caterpillars look almost identical to the Viceroy Butterfly caterpillar. Both look a little like bird poop and have "horns" which is thought to be camoflauge (my field guide does not call the horns antennae so I'm not sure if they are considered antennae or not). I know for sure the one I found was a RSP because my mom raised it and saw it change. A Viceroy is mainly bright orange.

Here's a photo of what it turns into:

Photo used through CC by Jenny Pansing

Where I found it: St. Augustine, Florida

What plant was it on? some type of clover

Did I raise it to moth/butterfly? Not this one, but many others - yes

Scientific name: Hypercompe scribonia

I love how the caterpillar is holding onto the plant in this photo. We've raised many of these fuzzy black caterpillars. They turn into an amazing white moth with black circles or spots. I like them so much I wrote an entire article about them. Read more about the Great Leopard Moth here.

Here's a photo of what it turns into:

Photo used through CC by Normanack