Observation date: October 20, 2014
Date notes: We found an enormous caterpillar in the fall, not positive if it was October or November...
Submitted by: Elisesprenger
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: The caterpillar was found by my children, and we could not believe how big it was! We put it in a large mason jar with some sticks and leaves but with in the next two days it had retreated to a cocoon! It was on the window above the sink and we had decided that it must be dead, it looked like it was molding over and it had been quite a long time. Then about 2 weeks ago (towards the middle/end of February) Moved the jar to toss the leaves and sticks into the backyard, but couldn't get the lid off. So it sat there waiting for my husband, and the next day I saw hairy legs against the glass and shrieked in surprise. We all were amazed and loved looking at the furry antennae. I put him back in the window and added some green sprigs of leaves. It wasn't very active until about 2 days ago when it started crawling up the sticks towards the top and then finally today it went crazy flapping about trying to get free. It's been snowing and freezing her until today when the sun and temp increased quite a bit. I took it outside to see how it would react, and it stayed very still on the ledge, fluttered down, then crawled back up, then eventually flew off. Would love more info to give my kiddos!
Status: Resident
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: March 07, 2015
Coordinator notes: None.
