Green Caterpillars
All About The Green Caterpillar
There are a few types of green caterpillar, and some of the most common complaints involving this type of creature aren’t even caterpillars at all. Many are merely grubs, sent to destroy your tender vegetation and wreak havoc on your garden. In order to be certain, you may want to consider the food choice that the green caterpillar seems most interested in. If you find him on your tomatoes or potatoes, you’re probably dealing with an infestation of young beetles, which could be a bit of a problem. If you have happened upon this translucent green blob on a wild cherry, walnut, or birch tree, you are probably looking at the young larvae of a Luna Moth. Closely related to the giant silkworm moths, these green caterpillars can be found throughout most of the eastern portion of North America.
If you have stumbled upon this creature, you may want to study his life cycle if possible. Very similar to that of the most common butterfly species, the Luna Moth larvae can reach an enormous three inches in length, with the adult garnering a wingspan upwards of five inches. He looks even bigger than this, however, due to the long tails on his rear wings. Most Luna Moths will also be adorned with one or more sets of false eyes on his wings. These are thought to be developed as an initial form of protection from would be predators. There are many birds who will take every opportunity to gobble up these monstrous winged insects.
The green caterpillar who is sure to be a Luna Moth larvae will have three sets of legs very close together just beneath the front end of his body. The rest of his body is pulled and pushed along by suctioned areas underneath the bulky blob. He is a veracious feeder, consuming the most delicate and flavorful leaves that he can find. He is not normally considered as a pest, being as he enjoys living on such large and robust trees. By natures design, his egg was laid where the food supply would never dry up or give way.
The green caterpillar form of the Luna Moth has multiple chewing moth parts, keeping up well with his constant need for weight gain and nutritional substance. Habitat loss has played a major part in the decreased population of these extraordinary creatures. The American Chestnut tree was once his most prime and plentiful food source, and he must now rely on persimmon and walnut trees for growth. The metamorphosis of these green caterpillars takes about three weeks from chrysalis to adult moth, and is a change which is definitely worth monitoring for as long as possible.