Polyphemus (Silk) Moth Caterpillars Eating Host Plant

Polyphemus (Silk) Moth Caterpillars Eating Host Plant

 

I have been raising a lot of Polyphemus (Silk) moth caterpillars this past month and they have grown fast!

 

Here are some pictures that I have taken of them at this stage:



Polyphemus (Silk) moth caterpillars preparing to shed skin.

Polyphemus (Silk) moth caterpillars feeding on host plant, Oak tree.

Polyphemus (Silk) moth caterpillars feeding on host plant, Oak tree.



You can see below how well the Polyphemus (Silk) moth caterpillars blend in with the leaves of their host plant. 



Polyphemus (Silk) moth caterpillars feeding on host plant, Oak tree.



Once these caterpillars are larger, their heads are more of a dark orange color.  They have a beautiful shiny blue stripe at its end on the side.  Their bodies are a light green color.  There are tiny silver hairs all over their body.  You can see that the caterpillars get big and fat as they grow.

see more pictures by M&M Pleasures

Gulf Fritillary

Gulf Fritillary Caterpillar

I have some passionflower in my backyard.  Recently, I spotted a gulf fritillary caterpillar feeding on it.



Gulf Fritillary caterpillar on host plant

I have yet to see the butterfly, but I am waiting!  ....