Unknown insect
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Joined: Mar 2003
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Found it, Hickory Horned Devil,
here:
http://www.ag.auburn.edu/dept/entplp...aterpillar.htm
Scroll down a ways and click on Photo 19.
Two of the largest and most frightening-looking "non-stingers" found on Alabama trees are the hickory horned devil (Photo 19) and imperial caterpillar (Photo 20). The hickory horned devil is the larva of the regal moth (Citheronia regalis - Saturniidae). The full-grown larva is 4 to 5 inches long. It is a solitary feeder on pecan, hickory, walnut, butternut, sycamore, ash, and sweetgum. The caterpillar is normally present from July through September. The imperial caterpillar (Eacles imperialis - Saturniidae) is the larva of the imperial moth. The full-grown caterpillar is 3 to 4 inches long, and appears in two color forms, green (pictured) and reddish brown. The larva is a solitary feeder and is found on a variety of trees, both conifers and hardwoods. Some common hosts are pine, baldcypress, basswood, elm, maple, oak, hickory, sweetgum, and sycamore. Two broods likely occur each year. The caterpillar may be present in early summer but is usually more common in August and September.
here:
http://www.ag.auburn.edu/dept/entplp...aterpillar.htm
Scroll down a ways and click on Photo 19.
Two of the largest and most frightening-looking "non-stingers" found on Alabama trees are the hickory horned devil (Photo 19) and imperial caterpillar (Photo 20). The hickory horned devil is the larva of the regal moth (Citheronia regalis - Saturniidae). The full-grown larva is 4 to 5 inches long. It is a solitary feeder on pecan, hickory, walnut, butternut, sycamore, ash, and sweetgum. The caterpillar is normally present from July through September. The imperial caterpillar (Eacles imperialis - Saturniidae) is the larva of the imperial moth. The full-grown caterpillar is 3 to 4 inches long, and appears in two color forms, green (pictured) and reddish brown. The larva is a solitary feeder and is found on a variety of trees, both conifers and hardwoods. Some common hosts are pine, baldcypress, basswood, elm, maple, oak, hickory, sweetgum, and sycamore. Two broods likely occur each year. The caterpillar may be present in early summer but is usually more common in August and September.
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Posts like a 4 Banger
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Columbus, OH
HOLY COW! 
I can't believe you found it. I tried to look for it a bit this morning...never thought of describing it in the advanced search section. 
It was still alive as of yesterday. It is the feakiest thing I've ever seen. The brown/ black tipped front legs....oh gives me the creeps!
I can't believe you found it. I tried to look for it a bit this morning...never thought of describing it in the advanced search section. It was still alive as of yesterday. It is the feakiest thing I've ever seen. The brown/ black tipped front legs....oh gives me the creeps!