The larvae of butterflies and moths (order Lepidoptera) are usually called caterpillars. Caterpillars have always been an interest of mine. I find the larvae of most butterflies and moths more interesting than the adult forms. With their colors and forms many caterpillars camouflage very well and can hide themselves in plain sight like few other creatures can. In many cases camouflage or mimicry is a caterpillar's only defense against predators.

I spend a lot of time searching for caterpillars, and the images on this page represent some of what I consider to be my best work. Countless hours of searching went into bringing these photographs to this web page. Enjoy!

Citheronia regalis, the regal moth, or royal walnut moth. Another specimen of Citheronia regalis. A young specimen of Citheronia regalis. Hyalophora cecropia, the cecropia moth. A young Callosamia promethea, the Promethea moth. Another view of the same Callosamia promethea. Automeris io differs from most species in the family Saturniidae in that it has stinging spines. Eacles imperialis, or the Imperial moth, is a four inch green caterpillar when young. A pair of unidentified spanworms hanging from a sassafras leaf. A tiny inchworm walking across a patch lichens. An inchworm eating a locust leaf.

Taxonomy of the Caterpillars: Kingdom: Animalia (Animals) Phylum: Arthropoda (Arthropods) Class: Insecta (Uniramia in some texts) Order: Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths) The hog sphinx (Darapsa myron) eats members of the grape family, like Virginia creeper. The blinded sphinx (Paonias excaecatus) eats members of the oak family. This one is on a beech twig. The saddleback caterpillar (Sibine stimulea) has a singular apperance. The stinging rose caterpillar (Parasa indetermina) is realted to the saddleback, and shares its stinging spines. The question mark butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis) eats the leaves of elm trees. The silver spotted skipper (Epargyreus clarus) is a very common butterfly in the eastern United States. The larvae of the eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) mimic a snake for defense against predators. Papilio glaucus

All images are © Eric D. Sterns, and may not be reproduced in any way without written consent. If you would like to use one of the images found on these pages I can be contacted by clicking this text, or via the Contact page.