The parts of these caterpillars you want to be weary of are the yellow or green fleshy protrusions that are tipped in black and extend from the back of the caterpillar. The plump, stout caterpillar has a segmented body and measures around 4.7 (12.5 cm) before it pupates. Some species of this large fat caterpillar have a reddish coloring on the top. Although it looks like a stinging caterpillar, the banded woolly bear doesnt sting and isnt poisonous. Most species of green caterpillars have smooth bodies and are completely harmless. The large eumorpha sphinx caterpillar is green with yellow diagonal lines and black dots but can have color variations. In some cases, the green caterpillars can completely defoliate boxwood shrubs. You can tell when the caterpillar is agitated because it will raise up its head and whip its long tails from side to side. The caterpillar is pale green and has a peak-shaped hump near the rear end. The long-tailed skipper caterpillar is a large green slug-like caterpillar with rings of yellow dots around its segments and lateral greenish-yellow green lines running the length of its back. The bedstraw hawk moth caterpillar is a large green caterpillar with yellow lines and spots and reddish tail horn. The Genista Broom Moth Caterpillar has a black and white markings on its green-brown body. The green caterpillar also has a distinctive looping habit when it moves. You will often find this green caterpillar munching on oak leaves, as well as foliage on birch, alder, maple, cherry, and willow trees. The skin can become red and swollen, and the symptoms can last between one and seven days. Features: Green with two white lines down the back and one along each side. Luna moth caterpillars have a characteristic habit of raising the front part of their body. The milkweed tiger caterpillar is covered in tufts of colorful black, orange, yellow, and white hairs. . Their light green color means that these caterpillars are difficult to spot on cabbage, kale, or broccoli leaves. The menacing stinging horns at either end of the caterpillar stand at 45. The caterpillars grow 32 to 38 mm long when mature. . The gulf fritillary caterpillar is an orange caterpillar with spiny spikes around each segment. Most green caterpillars dont sting or bite. These larvae start out cream colored with brown heads and light colored stripes, but mature into colors ranging from green to rust to black. The tomato hornworm is around 4 (10 cm) in length from its large head to its horned tail. The black swallowtail caterpillar doesnt have any horns, spikes, or spines on its smooth body. The box tree moth caterpillar is identified by its cylindrical shape, black head, and green striped body. Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar (Papilio glaucus). The spiny oak slug caterpillar has a recognizable green body with three pairs of large spikes with black-tipped spines at the head and two similar horn-like spines at the rear. In our experience, the most noxious veggie garden pests in South Florida are caterpillars, aphids, whitefly, snails and leafminers. The cats are about 1 1/2 inches long. The caterpillars also have the trait of raising their front end when feeding. The larva has a distinctive flattened body. The fuzzy caterpillars congregate en masse on apple trees, as well as willow, oak, elm, birch, and maple trees. This is not a poisonous or stinging type of caterpillar. The name webworm comes from the unusual habit of these caterpillars to spin large tent-like structures around host plants. The eumorpha sphinx caterpillar is an unusual green caterpillar because it has many color variations. Additionally, there are small clumps of green or orange spines along its back and body. 3. The queen butterfly caterpillar is a black and white striped caterpillar with yellow dots on its back and sides. The caterpillars vary slightly in color, but are commonly blue-green. A buck moth caterpillar is easy to identify by its black color, masses of white tiny spots, and jaggy appearance. This is one of the most fascinating types of green caterpillars to look at. Saddleback caterpillars grow up to 1 (2.5 cm) long. The bright colors of the oak slug caterpillar are warning signs to stay away. It may be difficult to spot this caterpillar as it usually feeds at night and hides during the day. This slug-like caterpillar is common in Florida, feeding on legumes and ornamental plants in the bean family. The distinctive caterpillar can look like a dead hairy spider or old leaf. 1. You can identify the giant leopard caterpillar by its sharp black spine and red band around its body. The spicebush swallowtail derives its name from its most common host plant, the spicebush, members of the genus Lindera. They have a relatively plump body. Pipevine swallowtail caterpillars grow 2 (5 cm) long. The caterpillars are common in the eastern United States, from Florida to Maine. Although this may be one of the most bizarre-looking caterpillars you will see, they turn into some of the most beautiful moths. A chubby-looking green caterpillar with an identifiable yellowish-white stripe along its sides, a pointed humped rear end, and a small rounded head. Full refund. An identifiable trait of this jaggy-looking caterpillar is its two long black horns on its head. Identification of the white admiral caterpillar is by its brownish-olive body with white, uneven blotches on its back and along its sides. My time has come. Hence, the shade of green would help you identify a caterpillar better. The multi-branched spines contain toxins that can sting if they break off in the skin. The green cabbage looper caterpillar prefers to eat cruciferous vegetables. Copper underwing caterpillar is a larvae of the copper underwing moth. The orange band appears as they grow, and it . As the fat green caterpillar matures, it changes in appearance. Tickets will arrive in time for your event. spongy moth caterpillars have fuzzy black bodies with red and blue spots running down the center of their back. The cross-striped cabbage worm has green body, white marks on the back and yellow stripe on each side. This article is an identification guide to Floridas exotic, scary, stinging, horned, furry, and smooth-bodied caterpillars. The banded woolly bear caterpillar is a black and brown hairy caterpillar that is common in Florida. This black and green striped caterpillar is typically found munching on foliage on clover and legume plants. The honey locust moth caterpillar has a dark green abdomen, a pair of fleshy red horns at either end, a white and red abdominal band, and is covered in white speckles. Pipevine Swallowtail Caterpillar (Battus philenor). Unknown caterpillars. Its easy to identify a monkey slug caterpillar because there is no other insect larva like it. The large green caterpillar grows up to 3.1 (8 cm). Luna Moth Caterpillar. Favorite food plants include oak, willow and other deciduous plants. This species of green caterpillar gets its name (inchworm) from the fact that they only grow to about an inch long (2.5 cm). Either end of the caterpillar has red tips. Unlike other caterpillars in this list, Diprion pini is not from the moth or butterfly order Lepidoptera. The Winter Moth caterpillar (Operophtera brumata) is a type of inchworm in the family Geometridae and genus Operophtera. Finally, when its ready to pupate, the larvae can either be dark brown or dark green. The characteristic traits of the eight-spotted forester caterpillar are thick black-spotted orange stripes, tufts of thin spines, and white and black stripes. However, not all furry caterpillars are poisonous. The polyphemus moth caterpillar is a type of green, silk-spinning caterpillar found in Florida. These thin fuzzy fall webworm caterpillars measure up to 1 (2.5 cm) long. On time. Additionally, prominent diagonal white stripes and white markings along the side help to identify this green caterpillar. identification and distribution of Caterpillars -- identification guide -- Discover Life. This is not a true tongue, but osmeterium that resembles a forked snakes tongue. There are even tiny spikes on the 4 pairs of prolegs on its central segments. Tomato Hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata). The Rustic Sphinx caterpillar (Manduca rustica) is a large bulky looking green species of caterpillar with diagonal white stripes and large horn. Looking at the caterpillar from above, youll notice its markings are in the shape of a V. The main identifying characteristic of the dragon-headed caterpillar is its four impressive long horns. As its name suggests, you will often find hackberry emperor caterpillars on hackberry trees. A mature imperial moth caterpillar is identified by its spiky appearance with hairs and spines covering its body. When the caterpillar pupates, its a large, dark green larva, sometimes with yellowish lines on its sides. As the caterpillar matures, the green coloring darkens to deep blue or black. However, the plump tobacco hornworm is slightly smaller, measuring up to 2.7 (7 cm). There are about 14,000 species of moths and butterflies in North America, but most gardeners will encounter only a tiny percentage of them. The redhumped caterpillar gets its name from the distinctive red humps on its black, yellow, and white striped body. After the pupal stage, the bright green caterpillar emerges from the cocoon as one of the most colorful furry moths. The stinging spiny oak slug caterpillar has two orange bands along its back and circular green and white patterns. Red admiral caterpillars grow 1 (2.5 cm) long. Despite its ugly appearance, the brown and white caterpillar turns into a spectacular butterfly with iridescent blue and orange colors. The caterpillar is one of the most colorful of the green caterpillars. Some of the large fat caterpillars are black with stripes and some are green with orange or yellow spots. Next, pour the solution into a spray bottle. The easiest way to identify bagworms on trees in Florida is by the protective cocoon bags they live in. This slug caterpillar looks more like a fuzzy spherical leaf. The larvae (caterpillars) are also green. Although they eat tomato leaves, they also munch on leaves of other plants in the nightshade family. Generally, green caterpillars are not poisonous. The Cloudless Sulphur caterpillar is a green caterpillar with yellow stripes and blue or black dots. Army worms are green and have dark stripes. Early instars are dark brown and molt to a dull orange. This yellowish-green caterpillar grows 1.77 (4.5 cm). One of the largest species of green caterpillar, the Cecropia grows up to a length of 4.5 (10 cm). A long . The white-marked tussock moth caterpillar . Some caterpillars may have a bluish-green body with tiny black dots on the segments. Once hatched, caterpillars grow from small to big, shedding their exoskeletons up to nine times before pupating. Its unusual habit of rolling leaves around itself earned it the common name bean leafroller. Some green ones are harmless, but other will be toxic. When I opened the jar to photograph them this morning, I had two browns and two greens, all with false eyes. One of the features of these caterpillars is their enormous appetite. 10. Saddleback caterpillars get their name from their saddle-like markinga square green patch with a large brown circle in the middle. White Admiral Caterpillar (Limenitis arthemis). To tell the difference between the two types of hornworms, look at the markings. Some types of caterpillars are easy to identify because of where they feed. 12. Under the fuzzy yellow hairs is a shiny black oval head. Its instantly recognizable feature is the large eye markings on its head. The identifiable features of the black swallowtail are its green body with black, yellow-dotted bands around each of its segments. Its easy to identify an azalea caterpillar due to its rusty brown or orange oval head, black and green stripes, and brownish-orange tail end. Each segment of their body has a black stripe with yellow dots on it. Monkey slug caterpillars have stinging hairs that can cause a painful sting if you handle it. Pictures of this caterpillar show that it is as large as the palm of your hand. The Gaudy Sphinx Moth Caterpillar, also known as the green sphinx moth caterpillar or the idesia, is a large and brightly colored furry caterpillar native to Florida. This can be sprayed weekly on plants such as tomatoes, eggplant and mustards. Types of Striped Caterpillars with Pictures - Identification Guide, Furry Caterpillar Types with An Identification Chart and Pictures, Types of Black and Brown Caterpillars (Pictures and Identification), Types of Caterpillars with Identification Chart & Pictures, Types of Green Caterpillars with Identification Guide and Pictures, Furry Caterpillars with An Identification Chart and Pictures, Black Caterpillar Identification and Guide, Stinging and Venomous Caterpillars Identification Guide. The evil-looking caterpillar is surprisingly harmless and it doesnt sting or bite. A large infestation of bagworms can quickly defoliate trees. The green Cabbage White Butterfly Caterpillar is commonly found on cruciferous vegetables. Youll also notice feathery spines on this striped Florida caterpillar. The larva is also identified by its conspicuous humped tail part and rounded green head. Tomato hornworms survive winters as pupae and emerge as adult moths in spring. Looking up close, you see that soft yellowish spines cover the prolegs and caterpillar abdomen. Method 3 Resources for Identification 1 Use an online identification guide to help you decide on a species. The Georgian prominent moth caterpillar feeds on deciduous trees throughout North America. The cloudless sulphur caterpillar (also spelled as cloudless sulfur caterpillar) is identified by a green or yellowish-green body accompanied by blue or yellow "racing" stripes down the side, and either black or blue dots all over the body. The Copper Underwing caterpillar is a large, fat green caterpillar that looks like a type of hornworm. Caterpillars such as inchworms and cabbage worms belong to the class Insecta. This looks like a mouth wide open bearing gnashing teeth. For example, the long, plump caterpillar is light green when feeding on green foliage. The bedstraw hawk-moth caterpillar is a large green cylindrical caterpillar, identified by its bands of yellow spots along its side and pronounced bright red tail. After emerging from the cocoon, this fat green caterpillar turns into the copper underwing moth with beautiful brown and bronze-colored wings. Green when young, older caterpillars may be green, brown, or black, sometimes with paler bands along the sides and grow to about 1.5 inch. American dagger Moth Caterpillar (Acronicta americana). In addition, this long caterpillar has bands of small faint green splotches along its back. You can often spot forester moth caterpillars feeding on herbaceous plants in Florida. The caterpillars gradually turn green and develop the characteristic stinging needle-like green tufts that look like pine needles. Milkweed tiger caterpillars grow 1.4 (3.5 cm) long. Green caterpillars are some of the most commonly recognizable crawling insects in the wild. The caterpillar has four sets of black prolegs and three sets of pointed forelegs. The Oak leafroller will also feed on hackberry, pecan and walnut trees. The body of the Angle Shades Moth Caterpillar can be green or light brown. You can find red admiral caterpillars feeding on stinging nettle leaves. When fully grown, it measures approximately one inch long . Each spring there are reports about tussock moth caterpillars being abundant in northcentral Florida. To identify the redhumped caterpillar, look for its characteristic black and white stripes on a yellow body, black fleshy tentacles, and a band of red bumps around its thorax. In some ways, this green caterpillar looks similar to the Tobacco Hornworm. Over the last couple of weeks, if you have oak trees, you have probably seen tussock moth caterpillars ( Orgyia spp.). Usually the caterpillars do not have much effect on the oak trees. The Rosy Maple caterpillar is a striped, bright neon green caterpillar with a brown head, bands of black dots, and a pair of black antennae. The urticating spines can give you a nasty bite if the venom gets into your skin. The giant horned caterpillar has a bluish-green body, curved spiny red horns with black tips, orangey-red head, and black spines on its body. Bagworms are identified by the bag-like structures measuring 0.4 to 6 (1 to 15 cm) long and made from tree foliage. The Tomato Hornworm caterpillar is a type of bright green caterpillar with a horn and V-shaped white stripes. Io moth caterpillars grow up to 2.3 (6 cm) long. This is a defensive characteristic of some caterpillars to scare off predators. The gray furcula moth caterpillar has several features making it easy to identify. A large green caterpillar that can grow up to 3.5 (9 cm) in length. Bright green caterpillars, members of the Lepidoptera order of insects, turn into moths or butterflies through the process called metamorphosis. Tomato hornworm blends in with green leaves. In fact, the Cecropia moth that comes from this caterpillar is one of the largest moths in North America. The fat green ones can grow to a huge size of 5.5 (10 cm). For example, many caterpillars only feed on specific types of shrubs, plants, or trees. Tomato Hornworm caterpillars (Manduca quinquemaculata) are a common type of green caterpillar that can be a real garden pest. The Diamondback Moth caterpillar is a small, pale green caterpillar with black spiny hairs on its body, small white dots, a brown to black head, and a tapering rear. Up close, the bluish-black spots are in rows across the center of the segments. Also, these hornworms have a large head in comparison to the rest of their body. Tobacco hornworms have a diagonal line, not the characteristic V-shape of the tomato hornworm. Look for recognizable circular patterns with black and white rings on its green back. The crawling worm-like insects emerge in spring and start to feed on hackberry leaves and leaf buds. As its name suggests, tomato hornworms gorge on tomato plant foliage. In addition, there are four tufts of white or yellow hairs on its back and two red dots at its rear end. Fully grown, swallowtail caterpillars measure 2.1 (5.5 cm) long. The large green oleander hawk caterpillar has pale orange horn at its tail end and blue eyespots. It is occasionally encountered in northern areas, hitchhiking on plant material brought up from the south. As the imperial moth caterpillar goes through its instars, it gradually becomes darker and hairier. These young caterpillars will molt into large black and yellow-stripped worms with red heads and legs. You can often find this brownish-green caterpillar crawling on sweet peas, honeysuckles, and various deciduous plants. They crawl all over anything underneath the trees. The caterpillars green abdomen is also covered in yellow dots and patterns. Caterpillars can reach 6.5 cm in length. All tickets 100% authentic and valid for entry! This is completely harmless as the Tomato Hornworm isnt a stinging type of insect. Please include general location and habitat information. Green cloudless sulphur caterpillars get their color from feeding on green foliage. Young azalea caterpillars are small, green caterpillars that grow into purple and yellow-striped caterpillars. The lacecapped moth caterpillar is a large green caterpillar with recognizable mottled gray blotches on its back and sides. The fuzzy caterpillar of the Isabella tiger moth is best known as a woolly bear. The Io moth caterpillar is a green stinging caterpillar that you can find in Florida. This tiny slender green inchworm is fairly small compared to other caterpillars. The cabbage looper caterpillar is identified by its pale, lime green color, white stripe along its side, and sparsely covered by fine hairs. The common pine sawfly larva is a pale green bug with a black line along its back and a band of black spots along its sides. This horned caterpillar species has a pointed black projection at its tail end resembling a horn. The fall webworm caterpillar is a yellowish-green worm-like insect with tufts of long, thin hair-like spines. The polyphemus moth caterpillar is a lime-green colored caterpillar with distinct bands of bright red dots traversing its body. After mating, females deposit oval, smooth, light green eggs on lower and upper leaf surfaces. The Luna moth (Actias luna) also known as the American moon moth is a Nearctic moth in the family Saturniidae, subfamily Saturniinae, a group commonly known as giant silk moths.It has lime-green colored wings and a white body. The Cecropia moth caterpillar is a type of large green caterpillar with yellow and blue nodules. Most mature ones are brown, maroon or green. Also called the bean leafroller, an identifying feature of the green caterpillar is its black or burgundy globular head and orange patterns at its tail. Imperial moth caterpillars arent a poisonous type of caterpillar but they can do a lot of damage to crops. Hand picking and placing them in a bucket of water is an effective way to kill tomato hornworms. There is also a list showing the remaining brushfooted species. The red admiral is a spiky black caterpillar that has identifiable fleshy spines and white tiny dots. 1. The spines of io moth caterpillar contain toxic substances that cause a lot of skin irritation. Targets: Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, many other vegetable crops. The green, white, and brown mottled patterns help to camouflage the caterpillar to protect it from predators. The tomato hornworm is a bright green caterpillar with V-shaped markings and a row of eye-like markings along its sides. The honey locust moth larva is a green caterpillar with white speckled tubercles. After pupation, the caterpillar turns into an attractive brown butterfly with identifiable brown eyespots on its wings. Also called tent worms, forest tent caterpillars are easy to identify in spring and summer when they are active. Valid tickets. An identifying feature of the diamondback moth caterpillar is the five pairs of prolegs, one of which forms a distinctive V shape at its rear. One of the unusual caterpillars youll find in Florida is the cecropia moth caterpillar. Io moth caterpillars grow up to 2.3 (6 cm) in length. Look for a caterpillar with an oval pastel green body, plumes of stinging hairs around its side, a pair of orange-red horns, and two yellow stripes on its back. Caterpillars are the larvae of moths and butterflies. The caterpillars also go by the name green-striped mapleworm. The American dagger caterpillar is a hairy pale yellow caterpillar with long black pencil hairs. You may find them lurking under leaves or crawling along tomato vines. Also, each segment of the turquoise-green body has small black spikes. Hackberry emperor larvae grow up to 1.5 (4 cm) long. These make the zebra longwing poisonous and foul-tasting to predators. The lightly-colored green ridged body features red or orange spots, some of which sprout small fine black spines. To identify poisonous Florida caterpillars, look for a fuzzy body with stinging spines. The snowberry clearwing moth caterpillar has a green body with a yellow band behind its head, black spots along its abdomen, and a black spike for a tail. You will commonly find it gorging on leaves growing on beech, oak, and chestnut trees. Look for the short black hairs emerging from whitish patches, V-shaped rear, and dark head on this tiny green caterpillar. When annoyed, the caterpillar can spit poisonous acid. The invasive nature of these caterpillars means they can be a pest for any gardener. Look for jaggy horn-like upward-pointing spikes along its back and small clumps of spines along its sides. They hang in your face. Luna caterpillars from the Saturniidae family of insects are in the group of large silk moths. Also called cabbage moth caterpillar, the tiny green wriggling larvae measure up to 0.4 (1 cm). Cabbage looper caterpillars (Trichoplusia ni) get their name from the way they crawl, making large arching actions. The long-tailed skipper caterpillar has a green body with yellow dots and lines and dark rounded head. The stinging rose moth caterpillar is a colorful venomous caterpillar found along the east coast from New York to Florida. Also, the head end of the caterpillar has patterning that resembles a scary face. They are black in the intinal stages and in the later stages the color become green and later lighter shades of green. Another unusual feature to identify the tiger swallowtail caterpillar is its defensive organ (osmeterium) on its head. Identify the long-tailed skipper caterpillar by its black ball-like head, yellow markings on its body in the form of lines and dots, and orange prolegs. You will also notice black and yellow markings down its side. These caterpillars do not possess stingers, but have spines (nettling hairs) that are connected to poison glands. The spiny oak slug caterpillar is a colorful larva with jagged spikes around its body and four pairs of upward-pointing spiked orange horns. Bagworms are unusual types of shiny black or dark brown caterpillars that are difficult to spot. One of the strangest green caterpillars youll find in Florida is the spicebush swallowtail larvae. Another type of hornworm is the White-lined Sphinx caterpillar (Hyles lineata) which has a lime-green body. Figure 4. Stinging rose larvae measure about 1 (2.5 cm) long. The tropical caterpillar tends to feed on leguminous plants. The green lacecapped caterpillar can be easily recognized by its silvery blotch on its back and sides. As immature larvae, this caterpillar species is black and orange. This caterpillar species has a variety of colors. The gray furcula moth caterpillar is an unusual green caterpillar due to the large blackish-brown irregularly shaped markings on its back. #8. If you happen to identify one, you should stay clear of it. Spicebush swallowtail identification is by the two false eyespots on its head, pale green body, and small blue and black dots in a transverse band. The crowned slug caterpillar has a distinctive look with stinging spines around the sides of its green flat body. Slugs will also go for fruit that is touching the ground, especially melons and strawberries. Its worth noting that this sawfly larva isnt a caterpillar from the moth or butterfly order Lepidoptera. Older caterpillars are plump and green, with a dark, white-edged 'saddle'. It has a lime green body and distinctive diagonal white and maroon stripes on its sides. There are also stinging hairs on its four sets of prolegs. Caterpillars are larvae of moths and butterflies. The recognizable feature of an azalea caterpillar is its round orange head and tail section. The io moth caterpillar looks similar to various other caterpillars. The polyphemus moth caterpillar looks different through its various instars. These eyespots are yellow or pale green dots with black centers resembling eyes. Green spicebush swallowtail caterpillars grow between 2.5 and 3.8 (6 9.5 cm) long. Banded Woolly Bear Caterpillar (Pyrrharctia isabella). The green horned tobacco hornworm caterpillar is a plump larva with a light green body, eyespot markings, and white diagonal stripes along its sides. Green-bodied fall webworms tend to be found in warmer climates. Other features of the redhumped moth caterpillar are its cherry-red round head, soft horn-like growths, and light, feathery spines. Diagonal white strips divide this color from the green color on the lower segments. The northern pearly-eye caterpillar is an easily identifiable caterpillar with pale reddish-pink horns and a pointed rear. After the pupal stage, the spiky caterpillar emerges as a small brown hairy moth.