Royal Walnut Moth

 

   

This vicious-looking (but rather harmless) caterpillar can often reach lengths of 6 inches. The large spines and black and orange horns are meant the scare away potential predators such as birds.

 

 

Hickory-Horned Devil/Royal Walnut Moth Citheronia regalis (Fabricius) (Family: Saturniidae)

Habitat: Hardwood forests

Florida range: Northern Florida including panhandle 

Larval host plants: walnut (Juglans species) and hickory (Carya species) trees

Flight: June-September  

Occurrence: Common

Link for more information http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/bfly/regal_moth_photo2.htm

 

 

 

Temperate Hardwood Forest

Florida Arthropod Conservation