The Hickory Horned Devil Caterpillar Explained In 2 Minutes! 🐛

Scientific name: Citheronia regalis (larva)
Adult moth: Regal moth / Royal walnut moth
Family: Saturniidae

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General Overview
• The Hickory horned devil is the largest caterpillar in North America
• Famous for its huge size, bright colors, and menacing horns
• Despite its appearance, it is completely harmless

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Size
• Length: 4.5–6 inches (11–15 cm)
• Thickness: About as thick as a human thumb
• One of the heaviest caterpillars found in the U.S.

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Appearance
• Body color: Bright green to blue-green
• Head: Large red or orange head capsule
• Horns:
• Long, black-tipped red/orange horns behind the head
• Shorter spines along the rest of the body
• Horns look dangerous but do not sting or inject venom

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Defense & Behavior
• Primary defense: Intimidation
• When threatened, it may:
• Rear up its front body
• Snap its head
• Click its mandibles
• No venom, no sting, no bite risk to humans

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Diet

Feeds on leaves of hardwood trees, including:
• Hickory
• Walnut
• Pecan
• Persimmon
• Sweetgum
• Ash
• Sycamore

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Habitat & Range
• Found in the eastern United States
• Common in:
• Deciduous forests
• Woodlands
• River bottoms
• Areas with hickory or walnut trees

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Life Cycle
1. Egg – Laid singly on host leaves
2. Larva (caterpillar) – Hickory horned devil stage (5 instars)
3. Pupa – Burrows into soil, overwinters underground
4. Adult moth – Regal moth (large but short-lived)

• Adults do not feed
• Adult lifespan: ~1–2 weeks

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Seasonality
• Caterpillars appear: Late summer to early fall
• Adults emerge: Late spring to early summer

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Fun & Lesser-Known Facts
• The horns are soft and flexible, not sharp
• Bright colors act as aposematic (warning) coloration
• Often mistaken for a dangerous species, but it’s gentle
• When ready to pupate, it wanders on the ground, which is when most people find them
#caterpillar #moth #insects #entomology #bugs

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