Polyphemus caterpillar

[Galapoheros]

I found it lost on the ground after a storm, hopefully a female because I want to get eggs later. But when it molted, the old headpiece got stuck around it's jaws so the jaws didn't cure in the proper way/shape. I had to pry the old thing off but it was too late so I don't know if it will make it. You can see the eaten part of that leaf, looks more like chewing instead a make a good cut.

I also found one of these in my backyard, I haven't seen one in years.

 

[chanda]

You can see the eaten part of that leaf, looks more like chewing instead a make a good cut.

The operative words here are "the eaten part of the leaf." If it is eating - even if the bites aren't clean and "pretty" - that's a very good sign!

 

[Galapoheros]

Yeah but that's all it's done in 2 days, I'm going to spray water on the leaves at least to keep it hydrated, maybe it will molt small and early to correct the prob.

 

[Salmonsaladsandwich]

Maybe try giving it some softer, thinner leaves to chew on? I'm pretty sure that's live oak you're feeding it, which has pretty tough, leathery leaves, and I recall reading somewhere that polyphemus caterpillars grow more slowly feeding on live oak. Maybe find some red oak or maple or something? Keep giving it access to live oak since that's what it's used to but i've never had problems getting polyphemus caterpillars to eat different types of oak.

 

[Galapoheros]

Maybe try giving it some softer, thinner leaves to chew on? I'm pretty sure that's live oak you're feeding it, which has pretty tough, leathery leaves, and I recall reading somewhere that polyphemus caterpillars grow more slowly feeding on live oak. Maybe find some red oak or maple or something? Keep giving it access to live oak since that's what it's used to but i've never had problems getting polyphemus caterpillars to eat different types of oak.

I considered that but new growth oak leaves is not around hear anymore(not the soft bright-green leaves your referring to), not that I can see anyway. It's still there on that same old "chewed" leaf but I'm spraying water for it to drink to stay hydrated.