Neat Caterpillar found today..

[ChrisNCT]

Check this one out...I have never seen one of these before. I did some research on it and think that it is the:

Orgyia leucostigma (J. E. Smith, 1797) -- White-marked tussock moth

 

[Ravienne]

Whoa! Crazy beautiful!

Do you know anything about those white lumps on his back? Were they in the description of the caterpillar in whatever guide you found it in? Do they look like just more fur? (I can't tell on my monitor from the pics.) I ask because they look like they might be from a parasitic wasp.

What was it feeding on when you found it? Are you planning on keeping it to adulthood?

 

[Malhavoc's]

looks like fur to me absoluutly stunning however my morbid side was hopping to see parasitic wasps as I have never gotten to see them mature on a catapiliar..

 

[thedreadedone]

im pretty sure its hairs, not parasites
great caterpillar !!!
i found something similar in africa a few years ago, but have no idea how to post the pictures

 

[mebebraz]

as all the fly-fishers smile.............

 

[Malhavoc's]

as all the fly-fishers smile.............

I do believe that is totaly accurate

 

[Scythemantis]

It's funny the things you get used to. Where I've lived in maryland all my life these are everywhere this time each year. I never stopped to think how exotic they look.