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lime green caterpillar (Polyphemus moth caterpillar)

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Moni - the were exactly like the photo.
by: Not fond of bugs

They didn't seem to be eating it but they were climbing all over in it.

Thank you
by: Kathy

Moni, thanks for the info. I am glad to know what it was that I saw. It was similar to those huge worms that are found in the garden sometimes.

Polyphemus moth caterpillar
by: Moni

Kathy
Yes, your photo is of the caterpillar of the Polyphemus moth. This is one of the large silkworm moths. According to bugguide.net these are found in all areas of North America except Newfoundland.
The larvae feed on many deciduous trees and shrubs including oak, birch, hickory, maple, willow, grape and roses. The adult moth does not feed. The cocoons are either spun on the tree of the host plant or in leaf litter under the tree. There is one generation in the north and two in the south.

Here are photos of adults, caterpillars and cocoons - http://bugguide.net/node/view/427/bgimage

NOTE to 'Not fond of bugs' - You do not have Polyphemus caterpillars feeding on your cilantro...these are huge caterpillars and they do not eat cilantro...you have some other critter.

Read more: http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/big-fat-green-caterpillar-with-orange-spots-polyphemus-moth-caterpillar-comments.html#ixzz1VuXuHVgH

Polyphemus moth caterpillar
by: Anonymous

Also known as a Cyclops moth.

Yucka - I've got those too!
by: Not fond of bugs...

Yeah, I pulled "FIVE" of those things out of my cilantro plant - they were nasty. Reminds me of the huge tomato worms my mother got on her tomato plants when I was a kid one year. I'm in Michigan.

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