"NC's largest caterpillar, the Hickory Horned Devil (Citheronia regalis, 15cm long)! Finding one at this maturity is rare due to birds, parasites, and disease. It will burrow under ground and emerge as a Regal Moth next year! #Citheronia Regalis"
#InsectThursday
#HickoryHornedDevil
#Regalmoth
#naturephotography
📸 Alli's nature journal
@anaturejournal.bsky.social
Spotted the Hickory Horned Devil crawling yesterday—at over 5" long, it’s the biggest caterpillar I’ve ever seen! It transforms into the #RegalMoth, so check out my photos of this wild beauty! https://rawlinson.us/photos/the-regal-devil/
I’m in awe at the sight of this Regal Moth or Royal Walnut Moth (Citheronia regalis) a once in a generation sighting & I got to see her bring in the next generation 🦋❤️#lepidoptera #moth #regalmoth
#entomology
