Caterpillar I.D. Help is Needed.

At a glance it looks like a rolled leaf. But, I was delighted to find it was a large caterpillar. Roughly 2.5 inches. It was eating oak leave.

Another view;

Another;

This is another location, many on this brood.

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The last pic. shows a smaller group of caterpillars, apparently they're older than the last smaller colony of them. All in on the same tree. (smaller in number I meant to say).

This message was edited Sep 17, 2011 3:07 PM

In a different location, on my Redbud tree in the garden. There is this colony of caterpillars.

Hope this pic. is better.

The closest I can come is the Genus Datana. They are so variable, it's hard for me to tell which one.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/236/bgpage

This message was edited Sep 17, 2011 4:05 PM

Thanks kwanjin. There are 3 different types of caterpillars posted above; the first 3 photos of one same large caterpillar on Oak leave. The next 3 photos are those of a different variety that look like the Datana contracta, and lastly the redheaded and red dots caterpilars on Redbud tree. The first one is distinctively different than the second and third. However, in the Datana Genus, the second type of cats. do look like those of Datana contracta.

One is solved. Two to go.

Thank again, kwanjin.

Being as you're a subscriber, perhaps you could post them on the Butterfly Forum? They might be more knowledgeable.

Thank you, I'll try the butterfly and hummingbird forum then.

sadly, none of these are going to turn into butterflies.

All moths? That's all okay. I've met a local moths' admirer. He would absolutely disagree. I love butherflies, but I believe Moths are beautiful in their own right. Thank you.

I don't think any will be butterflies, either but those folks are so good at what they do, I thought they might know anyway.

Provided that it's in the weekend, and the games are on. I've no response yet from the other forum. I'll keep you posted, if I get any answer. Thanks kwanjin.

the last ones look similar to Azalea cats.

Kim pic 1 is Spiny Oak Worm I believe

last one is Yellow-necked caterpillar I believe or could be several other which are very similar but all are Datanas

2nd cats are Contracted Datana I believe

Many thanks Donna, the last ones are 'Red Hump Caterpillars' that are on Red Buds. Yes, the Contrated Datana, quite destructive little ones. Not so sure about the first large one, how mischievious it is.