Observation date: August 24, 2019
Submitted by: evykenn
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: It was cool and sunny, about 70°F the caterpillar was on my front stoop, raised up like a cobra. It is about 3 inches long stretched out, approximate circumference of a pencil. It is black/dark brown with a very black cyclops eye marking on front of a tan face and black oblong mark oriented head to tail on top of its head like a skullcap It has a single black projection on top of tail curved towards back end There appears to be one black dot on the lower side of each “segment“ and some diagonal snake like patterns on each segment
I have wisteria surrounding my porch with a weeping cherry tree next to it. There are also grape vine, milkweed and lambs ear nearby among other less obvious plants. I brought it in and have it in the large vented bottle but not seeing it eat any of my leaf choices listed above
Status: Resident
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: August 26, 2019
Coordinator notes: Likely this is a mature caterpillar who may have been searching for place to pupate. If your container is large enough, provide a 2 inch layer of soil topped with leaves. They eat plants in the mint family but stop eating before they pupate. Lots of info on line.
