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 Post subject: Black fuzzy creature
PostPosted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 7:33 pm 
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Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2004 12:34 pm
Posts: 19
Location: NE Dallas
Hello,

I am having trouble indentifying an insect that is in my back yard. I saw it around this time last year - through the summer - and am seeing it again.

It's about 1 1/2 to 2 inches long and doesn't really move much. It looks very fuzzy and black - but I can't see legs from looking at the top of it. I haven't attempted to flip it over (ick!). Anyone know anything about this creature? Thanks!

Stephanie :?


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 7:44 pm 
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Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2003 11:17 am
Posts: 315
Location: Dallas,TEXAS
My guess is that it's a giant leopard moth caterpillar. I've seen them around since I was a kid. To know for sure, you'll have to look at his underside for red banding. If they were perhaps 12 times larger you could maybe send them to a taxidermist and use them as a shoe scraper. :)

Look under bristled catepillars to see if that's it. If not then I bet you'll find whatever it is at this site.

WhatsThisCaterpillar.com

~Dave


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PostPosted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 7:52 pm 
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Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2004 12:34 pm
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Location: NE Dallas
Wow! Thanks for the quick reply! :)

That caterpiller looks like it may be what I'm looking at. I'll turn one over tomorrow and look for the 'red band'.

I don't remember them from when I was child, and I've lived in this area most of my life. However, I may have blocked that memory - as I'm not a bug person :). Except for the pill bugs..for whatever reason :)

Anyway, thanks for your help!

~Stephanie


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PostPosted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 7:59 pm 
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Location: Dallas,TEXAS
It might wander off, but more than likely he'll be right where you left him tomorrow. If he appears gone then look under things nearby. I think they like to hide.. They're pretty lazy as far a caterpillars go in my very limitied experience. Their spines are fairly soft and don't sting, but you can use a stick to gently roll him over. He'll ball up and give you that look, but they're harmless. I've seen one or two already this year hanging out at the compost bin. Can't say I'd recognize what they look like as giant leopard moths. Moths wig me out more than caterpillars do.

~Dave


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 Post subject: fuzzy black catepillar
PostPosted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 5:34 pm 
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Joined: Sat Mar 13, 2004 8:24 am
Posts: 11
Location: Waco
I think these are wooly bears. They are in Howard's Bug Book; check it out.


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PostPosted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 8:37 pm 
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Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2004 12:34 pm
Posts: 19
Location: NE Dallas
Melody,

Thanks for your reply! I checked out "wooly bear" on the internet and it seems that is that same caterpiller that Dave was referring to (aka - giant leopard moth). Cute name (wooly bear) :). I haven't had a chance to check out the red bands on it when it curls. I haven't seen another since my last posting.

I'll let ya'll know if that is what it is..thanks!

~Stephanie


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Apr 21, 2004 1:30 pm 
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Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2004 12:34 pm
Posts: 19
Location: NE Dallas
Hello,

So I flipped over the caterpiller, and..no red bands! So I guess it can't be that leopard moth you guys were talking about..right? Unless it doesn't *Have* to have red bands.

I don't know why I'm so curious about this darn caterpiller :)

Stephanie


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