Observation date: April 28, 2012
Submitted by: purple10
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Found on freshly mowed st. augustine grass. Fast moving, determined. I cannot determine what they actually eat as I have seen 3 total 2 last week while I planted flowers. they will crawl up trees - the example here is a lacebark elm, raising up on back legs seem to be searching where to go next. One crawled up my red oak, then came back down and rested on a big rock in my yard. Another crawled over my begonias but not interested in eating. These creatures "play dead" when disturbed. Most distinctive 2 - 3 red stripes just behind their head and goat-like hairy antenna. There is a black spot near the rear end that looks like the stub of a "horn" like structure. Each of the 3 I have seen are 2.5 - 3 inches in length. I have searxched at least 5 webssites and cannot find anything close. I am a native Texan and nature nut, and I have never seen a caterpillar like these. Weather on both sightings was windy, slightly overcast and approx 80 deg. F.
Status: Resident
Verified by: kmortensen
Verified date: May 08, 2012
Coordinator notes: None.
