Observation date: August 23, 2014
Submitted by: Dave McKenna
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Measuring 7cm long by average 2cm in diameter, hot humid weather in mid-northern Ontario
daytime observation. Typically coniferous forest with many needles and damp mulch which the caterpillar burrowed into in search of food? Horns or spikes appeared to be bone like and were hard (not plyably soft). When picked up, the mouth looked like a four bladed scoop, with each triangular segment coming together The teeth arranged like that of an octopus or squid and made from the same material as the spikes on its back. Definitely designed to crunch hard objects and not leaves. There was an abundance of ants, grasshoppers, various moths etc and this caterpillar dug into the ground looking for it's food under moss, under exposed tree roots and in acidic soil prevalent in the forests of Eastern Georgian bay.
Status: Resident
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: August 27, 2014
Coordinator notes: In your area it must be subspecies pini, the Imperial Pine Moth. RAL
