Giant Leopard Moth Caterpillars

I came across these two caterpillars while working in the yard today. They look very similar to the Woolie-bear without the rust colored band.

They have a coat of black bristles and red bands between its segment, which can be seen when the caterpillar is rolled into a ball. You can see this better in the second picture.

After taking their picture I went out in the yard and picked them some plantains, which they eagerly began eating. If they continue to eat we may hold on to them to see what the chrysalis stage is like.

The Giant Leopard Moth (Hypercompe scribonia), also known as the Eyed Tiger Moth, is a moth of the family Archtidae. It is distributed throughout the Southern and Eastern United States from New England to Mexico.

This species has a wingspan of 3 inches. The wings of the moth are bright white with irregular black markings, some solid and some hollow. The abdomen is dark blue with orange markings, the male has a narrow yellow line on the sides. Its legs have black and white bands.

The caterpillar eats a variety of broad-leaf plants such as broadleaf plantains, dandelions and violets.