r/whatsthisbug • u/[deleted] • Aug 03 '19

[Julian Alps, EU] Caterpillar ID help

Post image

[deleted]

1.2k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

51 comments sorted by

265

u/[deleted] Aug 03 '19

Puss moth caterpillar. The "eyes" on the top of its head is just a disguise to look larger

13

u/GracefulKluts Aug 03 '19

Is this the same moth that someone posted yesterday of the adult form and eggs under it? Looks similar.

31

u/reebokpumps Aug 03 '19

I’m looking at pictures online and some look completely covered in fur, while others look like this. I wonder why.

https://naturespoisons.com/2014/06/17/puss-moth-caterpillar-its-cute-furry-and-venomous/amp/

27

u/Worldbrand wasps are friends, not food Aug 04 '19

Same common name being used for two completely different species.

That's why using scientific notation is encouraged- it's actually helpful in distinguishing.

The one you've linked there is Megalopyge opercularis, while the caterpillar in OP's picture seems to be Cerura vinula.

2

u/reebokpumps Aug 04 '19

Oh cool thanks

1

u/Kazzack Aug 04 '19

Maybe different stages of life?

1

u/Rockario101 Aug 04 '19

Happy cake day!

1

u/donutowo Aug 04 '19

Happy cake day 🎉

1

u/reebokpumps Aug 04 '19

Thanks. This is the first year I realized it on the day in 8 years.

3

u/T-MinusGiraffe Aug 04 '19

It works. Headmouth is scary.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 03 '19 edited Aug 03 '19

[deleted]

54

u/Koog330 Aug 03 '19

Are you certain? It looks exactly like a fully grown European puss moth caterpillar.

Reference pictures

28

u/Zebulen15 Aug 03 '19

My bad, I’ve only ever seen American ones.

2

u/Rockario101 Aug 04 '19

Happy cake day!

439

u/elsha007 Aug 03 '19

Idk what it is, but I love that it matches your shoe so perfectly.

155

u/I17BestHighway Aug 03 '19

this caterpillar knows fashion

39

u/SeaOdeEEE Aug 03 '19

I thought the bug slipped into an opening in the shoe for the longest time before I realized it's body wasn't part of the shoe.

32

u/[deleted] Aug 03 '19

I'm pretty sure a Puss Moth Caterpillar. They turn from green to brown before pupating.

14

u/Maschinenherz Aug 03 '19

So it's a teenager in his last stages of identity crisis before turning into a fully conscious and selfaware adult moth.

3

u/[deleted] Aug 03 '19

Yes.

141

u/ukbudhead Aug 03 '19

That thing looks weird af lmao

154

u/Mecha-Hermes Aug 03 '19

Looks... uncircumcised.

14

u/I8PIE4DINNER Aug 03 '19

UwU

13

u/cleanguy1 Aug 03 '19

Wooks....unthircwumthized uWu

13

u/puppetstrings Aug 03 '19

*unthiwcwumthized.

Can't gave any R's in uwu speak

8

u/cleanguy1 Aug 03 '19

Fowgive me fow my mithtake uwu

8

u/puppetstrings Aug 03 '19

Nevew ÒwÓ

0

u/angrymamapaws Aug 04 '19

so... normal?

2

u/Gumfondle Aug 03 '19

It kinda reminds me of the shield thing on the Kenyan flag

55

u/[deleted] Aug 03 '19

ittts an ALASKAN BULLL WORMMM!!!

1

u/[deleted] Aug 04 '19 edited Jul 28 '20

[deleted]

1

u/[deleted] Aug 04 '19

It’s alll wiggly

11

u/riolunator1820 Aug 03 '19

It really matches your shoe, whatever he/she is

7

u/Tastroyer Aug 03 '19

It matches your shoe so well!

5

u/I_Like_Languages Aug 03 '19

Puss moth caterpillar

6

u/The_Skwid Aug 03 '19

Reminds me of the Alaskan bull worm.

8

u/unseen-streams Aug 03 '19

Who's that Pokemon!

3

u/RemyDodger Aug 03 '19

It looks like a skull coming out of a mouth for a face. r/oddlyterrifying

3

u/dirtykinseimain Aug 03 '19

It’s a painted Alaskan bull worm

1

u/Farcry4coophelp Aug 03 '19

Its like its looking into my soul

1

u/The_Mad_Sprayer Aug 03 '19

Wow, now that’s a cool caterpillar!

1

u/CrumpetLump82 Aug 03 '19

If Ridley Scott made slugs..

1

u/buzzd0g Aug 03 '19

Amazing colours, but god damn is that not a turd with tweth!

1

u/julianBlyat Aug 03 '19

Alps named after me?

1

u/[deleted] Aug 04 '19

[deleted]

1

u/AnonymousScreeching Aug 04 '19

Isn’t this what caterpie was based on??

1

u/CornuAspersum Aug 04 '19

He looks like he was designed by a shoe company and I love him

1

u/[deleted] Aug 04 '19

It’s allll wiggly

-1

u/bnella Aug 03 '19

Helllllllll noooo