Anyway, Jess’s oldest child started school this year. On the first day, to keep the younger two occupied, she decided to go looking for a caterpillar. And they found one!
Later that day, she reported to me that it was already or in the process of becoming a chrysalis. I honestly don’t know much about the Monarch life-cycle, so I went looking for information. That’s where I learned that in only about 10 days, a Monarch butterfly would emerge from the chrysalis.
How cool for she and her kids to be able to see that!
I thought it was so cool, in fact, that I looked at the yellow plants those very friendly soldier beetles frequent to see if I saw a Monarch caterpillar. I did not. I didn’t really think I would. But one never knows.
Oddly enough though, as I was walking down Turkey Hollow Road under one very large pine tree, look what just happened to catch my eye…
That is not exactly what it looked like when I first saw it. That’s what it looked like when I returned. I love the way the sun is lighting up its hair.
This is what it looked like when I noticed it for the first time.
It was dangling pretty low. I walk under this tree every time I walk the dogs to the end of the road. The caterpillar was low enough that I could easily reach the branch it was hanging from.
How could I NOT take it home?
Hubby, who usually thinks my interest in critters is weird, was even impressed. Here’s a picture of it in front of Hubby’s hand to give you a better idea as to the size of the thing.
It actually looks shorter in that picture than it did at time of capture. Here it’s a bit contracted . Can you blame the thing?
At first glance, I thought it was a Luna Moth. The only really big moth I knew about. So I looked it up on the Internet. It is actually an Imperial Moth caterpillar. One reference I read said it could get as big as a 6 7/8-inch wingspan. That’s bird-sized!
Unfortunately, I also learned that when it’s time for this one to make its little cocoon, it burrows underground. AND, even worse, it doesn’t re-emerge until June. No watching that metamorphosis. My luck, I’d put the thing in a jar, under some dirt, and forget about it. Then next summer we’d have a house full of bird-sized moths. No. Thank. You!
So I set the thing free.
I released it in this little pine tree at the edge of our driveway.
When I stopped by later to check on it, I got this really cool picture.
Click on the picture if you want a full-screen view.
Speaking of really cool pictures, I also had to share this one I got of a grasshopper. Of course there’s also a soldier beetle in the picture. Those things are everywhere.
I can’t wait to return to the WV place to see what other critters I can find.
First, you are too kind. You made my day!
Second, I nearly fainted when you mentioned that you thought it could be a Luna moth. I knew it HAD to be one of the giant moths but I’ll take your word that it’s an Imperial.
Third, you know I am jealous… and I can’t believe you released it! Crazy lady! But you sure got some amazing photos of it, what an incredible creature.