Millipede - Caterpillar - Or Something Else

[Bama1980]

My boyfriend killed (for what reason, I don't know) a large worm-like creature which I first thought was some sort of millipede. I've been told that it's probably a caterpillar. Here's what I do know. Yesterday, when my boyfriend took me to see the (dead) "worm," it looked to be about 5 inches long. Today, what's left of him is only about 3 inches long. I would just like to know what this "worm" might actually be. Please, please, please, please, please, PLEASE do not flame me for killing him... I DIDN'T DO IT! I charged the battery on my digital camera and took a pic of what's left of him:


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/Pagan1980/Milli_Red.jpg

 

[dtknow]

I'd agree with whoever in the previous topic said it was some kind of saturniid caterpillar...but I'm not expert.

 

[Scythemantis]

You may not have done it, but still...I cannot BELIEVE anyone in the world would ever think to kill an animal for literally doing nothing. Surely there's nothing it could have been doing other than walking along. While I realize a LOT of people do that, I still think they're dangerously psychotic and utterly vile for it.

 

[Galapoheros]

It is an Imperial moth caterpillar. I'm sure of it. I'm sure it's a smushed one too. They can get just over 5" long. That one's a little dehydrated. Ha! Poor thing. I would like to have a few. If you find anymore, you can use the Private Messages option to mail me. I'll pay you for it. ME WANT! GOOGLE "Eacles imperialis" and 'caterpillar'. The adults look ALLOT different than the young (instars) so keep looking at images until you see an adult caterpillar. That one was probably looking for a place to get in the ground and get ready to turn into a giant moth. The caterpillars can be brown, orange, or green. Your boyfriend just didn't know what it was. Now you can show him. Wow, a giant hotdog caterpillar. Wish I would have seen that. I've never seen one in person. Any caterpillar 5" long would be impressive.....if you like caterpillars.

 

[Aquanut]

Maybe he'll get excited if he can get cash for them!