Hickory Horned Devil

[Atlascaproni]

Hickory Horned Devils are an INCREDIBLE type of caterpillar found in the Southeastern US. They most spend most of their larval stage high in hickory and related trees, munching on bark and leaves. Due to this, they aren't usually seen until late summer and early fall, when they leave the trees to make a burrow and metamorphose during the winter. When mature, they become the HUGE Imperial Moth, which can get even bigger than the caterpillar.

Male Adult


If anyone can find a picture of a female, it would be appreciated.

Video I made with a Hickory Horned Devil in it
YouTube - Teen Wilderness Episode 2

[goosey]

Well that is a great looking moth and larva - I have never seen one anywhere as large as that! They are real beauties. I have never heard of a hickory tree either - so that's something else I have learned.
Nice video!I hope some one has a picture of a female Hickory Horned Devil for you .

[paul m]

A fine looking beast!
Hickories (Carya spp) are the North American (and East Asian) relatives of European walnuts (Juglans spp) .... I believe most of them produce edible nuts ...

Originally Posted by goosey

...... I have never heard of a hickory tree either - so that's something else I have learned.
Nice video!I hope some one has a picture of a female Hickory Horned Devil for you .

[Pudding4brains]

Amazing animal - thanks Atlas! The size of the moth makes me think of moths I saw one day in Ecuador near a wool "factory" - I figured those were having a smörgåsbord on the wool, but I wasn't at all into insects at the time (too bad, as they have fantastic critters too, especially in the amazone).

Cheers
Arp

[Atlascaproni]

Thanks! I recently found out that moths don't eat wool as adults, they lay their eggs in it. Later on the larvae gorge on it, though, and that's why the moths are associated with loss of sheets

[yorobo]

I recently had a female lay eggs on my property. Three eggs hatched overnight. I am trying to see if they will eat leaves from my lilac tree since I can't find any trees they prefer around here. I did take a picture of the female before she passed. I am not sure how to upload pictures though.If you want me to e-mail them, let me know.

[goosey]

Originally Posted by yorobo

I recently had a female lay eggs on my property. Three eggs hatched overnight. I am trying to see if they will eat leaves from my lilac tree since I can't find any trees they prefer around here. I did take a picture of the female before she passed. I am not sure how to upload pictures though.If you want me to e-mail them, let me know.

Hi yorobo - welcome to WATW .
Usually Moths and butterflies lay their eggs on the food plant of the larvae, not being in the States I have no idea about Hickories or what the larvae eat, but would have thought you must have something close by that they will eat if the eggs were laid on your property

It is very simple to post your pictures here - and we would love to see them
If you go to the gallery and click on "UPLOAD Images" you can elect the photos you wish to upload from your computer. chose which catagory suits best - ie insects add a few key words (which makes searching easier for people who use the site). Then once it is uploaded into the callery you can copy the WHOLE image code and paste it in to the thread - preview and the image should be there before you submit the reply. Any problems just ask someone will be able to help

Good luck and I look forward to seeing your pictures!

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

I think Hickorys have been reared on privet here in the UK so you could try that.

neil