Skip to main content
Today is World Oceans Day!
Close

caterpillar

Rothschildia erycina

Photo by EmilieChich
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

5.15812, -52.6426

Field Notes

Description:

Very big caterpillar, up to about 15 cm.

Habitat:

I used to see it often on Duranta repens (fam. Verbenaceae), in the town of Kourou, French Guiana.

Notes:

Also on Duranta, Ailanthus, Coutarea, Exostema, Ligustrum, Antonia, Cenostigma, Chiococca, Dodonea.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (6)
KarenL
Mystery solved! Very nice caterpillar btw!
EmilieChich
Well, what do you know, I found the answer here: http://www.une-saison-en-guyane.com/ It is the caterpillar of Rothschildia erycina, a large butterfly that I spotted several times in Kourou, effectively.
EmilieChich
Yes, I thought of Saturniidae, too. But sorry, I won't be able to hatch it and find out what it is. I left Kourou since 2000!
bayucca
It would be even nice to find out what it is NOW, sorry until know now clue, besides it might be a Saturniidae.
Maria dB
Nice colors! It will be nice to find out what this large caterpillar turns into

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Butterflies & Moths of the World
Photographed
PublishedMarch 18, 2012

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies