Looks like it's begging for its life! Rightly so as it was first found by a ten year old boy , today. Lucky for it, it was in my yard, no killing allowed. So what is it? I'll follow with a side shot. Likely food was oak, maple, ash. sycamore, dogwood- those would be the trees around where we found it on the ground.
'"and turn to the side"
Sally, it's a Polyphemus Moth cat:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/146/
Aren't they pretty?
Sally put it in a Oak or Wax Myrtle if you have one near by. It shouldn't have been on the ground. The cocoon in the leaves. I have had 9 of 12 eclose this week I raised over summer. I thought the cocoons would over winter being so late in the year. Yours doesn't have much time left before it gets to cold
Oh Donna, he's beautiful!
and they are huge. Another just eclosed. Only 2 to go. I am happy they have all survived
Thanks for the ID. I'm glad to know such beautiful creatures live around here.
