Strange Caterpillar

[pategirl]

Someone brought me this odd-looking caterpillar today....it's by far the strangest I've seen around here. From my searches, it's a hickory horned devil....will turn into a royal walnut moth.

 

[Brian S]

I have never seen any of those around here before. What does the moth look like?

 

[Fergrim]

Those spines look wicked.. I wonder what the sting (if any) feels like!

 

[chad11990]

i've found those here in FL there huge or at least the one i found was at least 4 inches long

 

[Horrido]

Citheronia regalis, aka Regal moth/"Hickory Horned Devil"

Wingspan, up to six inches. BIG!

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_IN209