Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I found this guy today on the ground near the base of our Pecan tree here in South Carolina. He was in a big hurry to go somewhere, moving away from the tree. I have search the web for him but I can't find him. When I picked him up with a branch (he's big and scary) I needed to transfer him to a smaller twig to put in the mini aquarium, he thrashed about and oozed redish orange liquid...ew. He looks so much like the bark of the tree! You can barely see him right in front of you on this twig in my hand even tho he is a good 2 inches. If he wasn't moving I would have never seen him! Here's his side pic. Under the pic is a link to a pic of him from the top so you can see his pattern. Please help!

Camouflage Cat

I forgot to add...

He looks like he would be from the Looper family because of his strong twig appearance but he has 4 prolegs so that is throwing me off...still searching for ID.

Hi there! The yucky fluid is probably just a defense mechanism. I agree, he is defintely a looper or spanworm of sorts. Are you sure he's got 4 prolegs? Lepidoptera cats have 3 prolegs (front) four legs in the middle and then what are referred to as anal prolegs (don't always look like legs) at the rear.

Anyway, go to the site below. it is for Eastern Forest Caterpillars but many overlap into other ststates. I have linked you to the looper/spanworm family. You will probably find him there. Another good site is http://www.bugguide.net/ you can browse as well as post pictures and ask for help in I.D.

let me know what you find out!

lele
Caterpillars of Eastern Forests

Sorry, not prolegs, I was referring to his middle legs. Yes he is a leproderia (sp) family because of the 3 sets of prolegs, 4 middle and one back set. That is what is confusing me. The loopers/spanworms don't have that leg configuration. I have been to the linked site earlier and he is not there. Argh.

Dangit I can't spell....LEPIDOPTERA...that family is what I meant

Finally, that bugguide.net is awesome! Found my cat. He's/she's an underwing moth. Not terribly exciting but so happy to finally know! Thanks Lele!