Puss Moth

I agree with ForestDragon's suggestion. I had missed the statement that Cerula vinula is not found in N. America. On the other hand, bugguide did list Furcula and one other Cerura (scitiscripta) as found in Virginia specifically. Examining the pics in an image search, turned up many more of the red and cream 2nd instar form for Fucula, and more especially, also the yellow and brown form for a 3rd instar, neither of which forms was displayed for the Cerura genus found in Virginia

I think there is a very good chance that you are looking at a caterpillar from Genus Furcula. Most of the caterpillars in that Genus look very similar and have overlapping ranges so it might be difficult to tell exactly which one it is. Here is a link: http://bugguide.net/node/view/283 http://bugguide.net/node/view/283/bgpage (same genus on the "Browse" tab) Hope this helps!

Hi beacantor, this is a very cool caterpillar! While it does look similar to Cerura vinula, I don't think it is likely since Cerura vinula is not a species found in North America (you can see on the EOL link the locations of where it has been reported to have been found). There are similar looking caterpillars found in the US and I am looking now for a possible ID but until then you may want to consider leaving this in the unknowns.

Many thanks for the extra information, beacantor!

Love that!! Thank you for sharing this beautiful creature, beacantor

what the heck...?

Very Amazing! I've never seen this before! Great found beacantor!

In the scientific field there should only be the scientific name Cerura vinula. The rest you can add in the description section, thanks.

Nice series!

Wow! wonderful!

This moth larvae is either a Drepanidae (cf diff sp, but with similar VERY odd appearance with twin "tails" -- http://www.hkwildlife.net/viewthread.php?tid=11445) or else a Notodontidae Stauropinae (most of which are not nearly so odd looking, but yet have a similar twin-tail structure -- http://ccs-hk.org/DM/butterfly/Notodont/Notodontid.html).

What a unique caterpillar!

Incredible! Eager to know the ID too!! Great work, beacantor!

So weird!!! Amazing!: :))

this makes me think of a clown

<3