I found this caterpillar eating oak leaves on August 12, 2009.
August 19 – it had grown a little, and had more hair and fewer spots. It was about 15 mm long, including the hair.
September 2, 2009
September 2, 2009
September 9, 2009
September 9, 2009 – showing its black head
On September 27, it pupated, using some of its hairs to cover its cocoon.
This shows the size of the cocoon.
The cocoon spent the winter in a plastic container in the refrigerator. I took it outside at the beginning of March, and the moth emerged on June 16, 2010.
These are very common here in western Wisconsin. I find lots of the caterpillars during the summer, and lots of the adults come to my lights at night.
Marcie O’Connor
Buffalo County, Wisconsin
September 25, 2010
