September 27, 2006: Big-ass caterpillar

Undertoad · 09-27-2006, 12:11 PM

Wolf not only finds this one, she does all the legwork of getting info on it, all credit to her.

This shot was taken by a park ranger "somewhere in Pennsylvania". This thing is wider than the guy's finger and as long as his hand! Whoa!

It turns out that the beast, in caterpillar form, is called the "hickory horned devil" - more images here. And yeah, it's typically 5" long. They say it's not harmful to humans. They say.

But when it turns into a moth, it's underwhelming despite its new name, the "regal moth".

Sure, we've seen that story before -- the big, colorful, horny youth, who turn rather plain as they age but continue to think of themselves as royalty.

Happy Monkey · 09-27-2006, 12:18 PM

I found one of those when I was a kid! Unfortunately, we didn't know how to care for it (they pupate underground, and we kept it on a branch until it was too late), so it died. Incredible critter.

Flint · 09-27-2006, 12:22 PM

PETA will never allow Happy Monkey to be elected into office...

wolf · 09-27-2006, 12:54 PM

The "somewhere in Pennsylvania" turns out to be French Creek State Park.

footfootfoot · 09-27-2006, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by undertoad

They say it's not harmful to humans

If it's not harmful to humans then why am I nauseaus just from looking at it?

Trilby · 09-27-2006, 02:41 PM

Why aren't we throwing it in butter and fryin' it up?

limey · 09-27-2006, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianna

Why aren't we throwing it in butter and fryin' it up?

Why aren't we frying it in butter and throwing it up?

Elspode · 09-27-2006, 02:57 PM

Now I know what Mothra looked like before metamorphosis.

KinkyVixen · 09-27-2006, 04:14 PM

I like to save my butter for cannibutter...hehe...

Karenv · 09-27-2006, 05:53 PM

Wonder if it is as edible as those West coast banana slugs?

THrow a few devils on the barbie?

smillie · 09-27-2006, 06:29 PM

Looks a lot like a tomato worm.

KinkyVixen · 09-27-2006, 06:35 PM

OMGosh! Did anyone see the fear factor episode (i'm sure there's been more than one, but maybe not) where they had to eat the tomoato worms! That was the SICKEST thing I've ever seen. They would bite into them and their juices would squirt them in the eyes, and the people standing near by...ooooh, that's so gross....now my stomach hurts. I could never make it on fear factor, just because of the weird shit they have to eat!

wolf · 09-27-2006, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf

The "somewhere in Pennsylvania" turns out to be French Creek State Park.

Which, incidentally, is ENTIRELY too close to The Cellar, since they have beasts like this roaming the place.

xoxoxoBruce · 09-27-2006, 07:03 PM

What do you expect, after all it is FRENCH Creek.

lumberjim · 09-27-2006, 07:23 PM

i live in walking distance to french creek state park. i aint skeered. you should see our centipedes. i've almost completed the saddle i'm making for the smaller one. i'll need more cows to make one for it's mom.

09-27-2006, 12:11 PM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	September 27, 2006: Big-ass caterpillar Wolf not only finds this one, she does all the legwork of getting info on it, all credit to her. This shot was taken by a park ranger "somewhere in Pennsylvania". This thing is wider than the guy's finger and as long as his hand! Whoa! It turns out that the beast, in caterpillar form, is called the "hickory horned devil" - more images here. And yeah, it's typically 5" long. They say it's not harmful to humans. They say. But when it turns into a moth, it's underwhelming despite its new name, the "regal moth". Sure, we've seen that story before -- the big, colorful, horny youth, who turn rather plain as they age but continue to think of themselves as royalty.

09-27-2006, 12:18 PM	#2
Happy Monkey I think this line's mostly filler. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DC Posts: 13,575	I found one of those when I was a kid! Unfortunately, we didn't know how to care for it (they pupate underground, and we kept it on a branch until it was too late), so it died. Incredible critter. __________________ _________________ \|...............\| We live in the nick of times. \| Len 17, Wid 3 \| \|_______________\| [pics]

09-27-2006, 12:22 PM	#3
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	PETA will never allow Happy Monkey to be elected into office... __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

09-27-2006, 12:54 PM	#4
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	The "somewhere in Pennsylvania" turns out to be French Creek State Park. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

09-27-2006, 02:57 PM	#8
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	Now I know what Mothra looked like before metamorphosis. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

09-27-2006, 02:41 PM	#6
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	Why aren't we throwing it in butter and fryin' it up?

09-27-2006, 04:14 PM	#9
KinkyVixen Marching In! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 580	I like to save my butter for cannibutter...hehe... __________________ "Smile before bed.You'll sleep better."

09-27-2006, 05:53 PM	#10
Karenv Slacker Join Date: May 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 144	Wonder if it is as edible as those West coast banana slugs? THrow a few devils on the barbie?

09-27-2006, 06:29 PM	#11
smillie Romantic Necromancer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Metro Detroit, Michigan Posts: 29	Looks a lot like a tomato worm. __________________ dyslexic's untie

09-27-2006, 06:35 PM	#12
KinkyVixen Marching In! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 580	OMGosh! Did anyone see the fear factor episode (i'm sure there's been more than one, but maybe not) where they had to eat the tomoato worms! That was the SICKEST thing I've ever seen. They would bite into them and their juices would squirt them in the eyes, and the people standing near by...ooooh, that's so gross....now my stomach hurts. I could never make it on fear factor, just because of the weird shit they have to eat! __________________ "Smile before bed.You'll sleep better."

09-27-2006, 07:03 PM	#14
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	What do you expect, after all it is FRENCH Creek. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

09-27-2006, 07:23 PM	#15
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	i live in walking distance to french creek state park. i aint skeered. you should see our centipedes. i've almost completed the saddle i'm making for the smaller one. i'll need more cows to make one for it's mom. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

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