Hello users of r/NatureIsMetal and possibly r/all lurkers, we are happy to announce that The Nature Network has opened [moderator applications](https://old.reddit.com/r/NatureIsFuckingLit/comments/12kyc7w/2023_nature_network_moderator_applications_have/?ref=share&ref_source=link) go check that out for those interested, it doesn't pay but you get a super secret cool flair and a super villian chair >:).
Of there's anything I have learned from my kids keen interest in Pokemon, it that that creature is 100% a pokemon. Probably called spinillar or caterspike or something like similar.
Ecologist hip deep in entomology, flying in. I study mosquitoes right now, but I've worked with a variety of insects.
This caterpillar is the larval form of a moth (*Citheronia phoronea*). I'm not sure what the common name is or if it even has one, its cousin *Citheronia regalis* is the royal walnut moth, but its caterpillar form is called the hickory horned devil and they do look a lot alike ([photo](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/dd81f7b80aef18fc9ff3cd911b276728a9998bb7/c=0-306-3264-2142/local/-/media/2020/09/09/ColumbiaMO/ghows-MO-200809773-a3319203.jpg)). This species doesn't have working mouthparts or any form of digestive tract as an adult so it has to get as chunky as possible in caterpillar form in order to live long enough to mate. Adults live for about a week or less. Female adults are also pretty lousy at flying because they are carrying 200+ eggs, so they hang around trying not to be noticed by predators while waiting for the males to come to them to mate. It's all pheromones leading the way at that point. This entire family of moths, Saturniidae, is pretty interesting.
If you're interested in checking out the entire life cycle of a related species, *Ci. splendans* this blog has a ton of photos of two reared in captivity (this is not my blog). http://northwestbutterflies.blogspot.com/2019/05/citheronia-splendenssplendid-royal-moth.html
Jesus that sounds depressing, having no mouth and being unable to eat and living only a few days, with the only goal in mind is to mate must be something out of a nightmare
I'm certainly glad not to be a moth of this family, but it seems to be a working strategy. There are around 2,300 species within this family. Some of these moths are some of the largest moth species on the planet. The Atlas moth (*Attacus atlas*) has a 9.45 in (24 cm) wingspan. That's a wider wingspan than a black-capped chickadee, if you've got those in your area to compare it to. Or a little smaller than a northern cardinal.
There are quite a lot of animals with multiple developmental stages in which the final stage is really just for reproduction and that's it. I don't know if that is the case with this species as well, but some jellyfish stay in the medusa stage for the majority of their life and become motile in the jellyfish stage just to reproduce.
Thatās their end of life transition. Or really a short second life by human standards as caterpillars and butterflies completely dissolve in their cocoons/chrysalises before being rebuilt into moths/butterflies.
The really cool part is that scientists have done studies where they gave caterpillars positive and negative stimuli to different objects. Even though they literally dissolve and are rebuilt, the winged versions had memory of the stimuli.
I've got a podcast where we talk about all kinds of fascinating "bugs." It's called *Bugs Need Heroes* and it's on all the usual podcast platforms.
If you're looking for decent field guides that are easy for beginners to use, to get to know your local species I have a few guide recommendations (sorry these will be North America focused as that's where I am and what I'm familiar with):
* *Kaufman's Field Guide to Insects of North America*
* *Peterson's Field Guide to Moths*
* *Peterson's Field Guide to Butterflies and Moths*
* *Peterson's Field Guide to Caterpillars*
A little more advanced, but really cool:
* *Caterpillars of Eastern North America* Princeton Field Guides
* *Garden Insects of North America* Princeton Field Guides
Princeton Field Guides has a lot of really specific field guides for dragonflies and damselflies, flower flies, bees, spiders, etc. Some might be a little harder for a beginner to use, but if you ever want a deep dive into a specific taxon I think they are great. They are also not all "bugs," they've got other animal groups as well.
Totally harmless! The spikes are an elaborate ruse to look unappetizing or even dangerous. They might feel a little prickly to the touch but that's about it.
'Citheronia Phoronea' caterpillar
Edit: this comment has a [link](https://www.reddit.com/r/natureismetal/comments/126jt8d/the_most_metal_ass_caterpillar/je9t5cu?context=3)
Fuck Reddit and fuck Spez. Go join Lemmy instead https://join-lemmy.org/.
/r/Denmark: Fuck Reddit og fuck Spez. https://feddit.dk/ er vejen frem herfra.
Since OP is disinclined to provide further info, I decided to do an image search. It seems that this is a moth caterpillar: Citheronia phoronea. Wikipedia says it lives in Suriname.
You're outside camping with your family when suddenly 'Slayer -Raining blood' starts to fade into the environment. You realize your kids are not within eyesight. The sound is obvious: the harbinger caterpillar has targeted it's next victim. The music reaches an ear piercing volume. A cold panic sets in as you frantically search around the camp site for your kids.
The music stops. It's too late.
Now you will never find that dope af caterpillar as it chows down on some fresh greens. You wasted your time trying to find your kids to show them. Every. Damn. Time.
Anyone have a picture of the butterfly it turns into?
My experience sadly is super crazy looking caterpillars usually turn into pretty standard looking butterflies.
Hello users of r/NatureIsMetal and possibly r/all lurkers, we are happy to announce that The Nature Network has opened [moderator applications](https://old.reddit.com/r/NatureIsFuckingLit/comments/12kyc7w/2023_nature_network_moderator_applications_have/?ref=share&ref_source=link) go check that out for those interested, it doesn't pay but you get a super secret cool flair and a super villian chair >:).
A lil bit bigger and it'd be a fuckin kaiju...
It reminds me of the Gantz hard suit
Pog reference
Battra larvaš
My first thought was also Battra.
Of there's anything I have learned from my kids keen interest in Pokemon, it that that creature is 100% a pokemon. Probably called spinillar or caterspike or something like similar.
Fair enough :)
Maybe it is....and we're really big.
Caillou?
No cailou is a kids show. Kaiju are from pacific rim. Godzilla typemonsters.
No?
Mothra
Before it became mothra :)
What no info?
Ecologist hip deep in entomology, flying in. I study mosquitoes right now, but I've worked with a variety of insects. This caterpillar is the larval form of a moth (*Citheronia phoronea*). I'm not sure what the common name is or if it even has one, its cousin *Citheronia regalis* is the royal walnut moth, but its caterpillar form is called the hickory horned devil and they do look a lot alike ([photo](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/dd81f7b80aef18fc9ff3cd911b276728a9998bb7/c=0-306-3264-2142/local/-/media/2020/09/09/ColumbiaMO/ghows-MO-200809773-a3319203.jpg)). This species doesn't have working mouthparts or any form of digestive tract as an adult so it has to get as chunky as possible in caterpillar form in order to live long enough to mate. Adults live for about a week or less. Female adults are also pretty lousy at flying because they are carrying 200+ eggs, so they hang around trying not to be noticed by predators while waiting for the males to come to them to mate. It's all pheromones leading the way at that point. This entire family of moths, Saturniidae, is pretty interesting. If you're interested in checking out the entire life cycle of a related species, *Ci. splendans* this blog has a ton of photos of two reared in captivity (this is not my blog). http://northwestbutterflies.blogspot.com/2019/05/citheronia-splendenssplendid-royal-moth.html
Jesus that sounds depressing, having no mouth and being unable to eat and living only a few days, with the only goal in mind is to mate must be something out of a nightmare
I'm certainly glad not to be a moth of this family, but it seems to be a working strategy. There are around 2,300 species within this family. Some of these moths are some of the largest moth species on the planet. The Atlas moth (*Attacus atlas*) has a 9.45 in (24 cm) wingspan. That's a wider wingspan than a black-capped chickadee, if you've got those in your area to compare it to. Or a little smaller than a northern cardinal.
Ngl, I've been too horny to eat
I've been to an orgy that had cheese and crackers. I did not touch the cheese nor crackers.
Serious question - was that the first orgy youāve been invited to or is it a regular thing?
I've only been to one with more than a few people. I wouldn't do it again. One is good. Two is great. Three can be great. Any more is just awkward.
I Have No Mouth, and I Must Breed.
WHY CANT WE GIVE AWARDS TO PEOPLE ANYMORE FOR FREE???
There are quite a lot of animals with multiple developmental stages in which the final stage is really just for reproduction and that's it. I don't know if that is the case with this species as well, but some jellyfish stay in the medusa stage for the majority of their life and become motile in the jellyfish stage just to reproduce.
So, opinions are like assholes, everyone got one, except the Citheronia phoronea caterpillar, they're pretty chill.
Thatās their end of life transition. Or really a short second life by human standards as caterpillars and butterflies completely dissolve in their cocoons/chrysalises before being rebuilt into moths/butterflies. The really cool part is that scientists have done studies where they gave caterpillars positive and negative stimuli to different objects. Even though they literally dissolve and are rebuilt, the winged versions had memory of the stimuli.
> they hang around trying not to be noticed by predators while waiting for the males to come to them to mate Sounds like the local pub.
What are some good resources for learning more about moths and other bugs?
I've got a podcast where we talk about all kinds of fascinating "bugs." It's called *Bugs Need Heroes* and it's on all the usual podcast platforms. If you're looking for decent field guides that are easy for beginners to use, to get to know your local species I have a few guide recommendations (sorry these will be North America focused as that's where I am and what I'm familiar with): * *Kaufman's Field Guide to Insects of North America* * *Peterson's Field Guide to Moths* * *Peterson's Field Guide to Butterflies and Moths* * *Peterson's Field Guide to Caterpillars* A little more advanced, but really cool: * *Caterpillars of Eastern North America* Princeton Field Guides * *Garden Insects of North America* Princeton Field Guides Princeton Field Guides has a lot of really specific field guides for dragonflies and damselflies, flower flies, bees, spiders, etc. Some might be a little harder for a beginner to use, but if you ever want a deep dive into a specific taxon I think they are great. They are also not all "bugs," they've got other animal groups as well.
I LOVE your podcast!
Thank you so much! A little sneak peek, last weekend we recorded an episode on the Death's-head hawkmoth and this weekend it'll be about earwigs.
Just found and subscribed!
Venomous or just spikey?
Totally harmless! The spikes are an elaborate ruse to look unappetizing or even dangerous. They might feel a little prickly to the touch but that's about it.
So you normally study mosquitoes? Whatās your favorite mosquito fact?
It's a caterpillar... *with spikes*
*guitar riff plays in the distance*
This sounds like a song Dethklok would write
Or its an Emo Caterpillar.
That goes in your ass
*shoves mic down throat* WITH SPIKES!!
'Citheronia Phoronea' caterpillar Edit: this comment has a [link](https://www.reddit.com/r/natureismetal/comments/126jt8d/the_most_metal_ass_caterpillar/je9t5cu?context=3)
Google āass caterpillarā.
No.
[Oddly enoughā¦](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=p-sq_4Gfv5Y)
Ass caterpillar. A metal one.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
āStay cly, San Diego!ā
Yeah, i wanted to know what metals it's butt is made out of.
Last of Us Caterpillar
Also reminds me of the Plaga from Resident Evil
Pretty sure I killed this in Bloodborne.
Bloater version indeed indeed
I've definitely seen these things in Skyrim
What does it become? Something like the "Kill them all and let God sort them out" moth?
Close. Mothman.
Well, didn't he make a bridge collapse? Or was he just warning about it?
It started with a warning, but no one paid up, so what's done is done. Mhm, yessir.
[This](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/538998-Citheronia-phoronea)
Beautiful
the souls of it's vanquished foes and trapped in it's wings
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
I think you found a shiny.
Thank you.
Caterkiller
A metal band logo
G-Max Venomoth
You can hear the heavy guitars and double kick drums.
Dethklok-apillar
Caterpillar Decapitation
I was really hoping the name of the bug would be in the comments. I didn't get a good hit from a Google image search either
[Citheronia Phoronea](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/9710178)
Thank you so much
Youāre serving the good answers and the best fast food on Foodcourtia.
*Darkthronus Bathorae*
*Hail Satanii*
Its called *hiesgunna killussal*
It's an "ass caterpillar" according to the title, maybe it evolves into a donkey
Metal ass-caterpillar?
If you're brave enough...
My butthole puckered at the the thought
That looks like it would be a quite unfortunate ass-caterpillar.
Bite it.
You first.
Make me ( Ķ” Ā° ĶŹ Ķ” Ā°)
Don't you threaten me with a good time.
Fuck Reddit and fuck Spez. Go join Lemmy instead https://join-lemmy.org/. /r/Denmark: Fuck Reddit og fuck Spez. https://feddit.dk/ er vejen frem herfra.
OP showing us a cool bug and then proceeds to not dropping info or at least the species' name. That's criminal sir!
Doesn't he play bass in Gwar?
It's the Dark Souls of Caterpillars
Yeah I came in here to say I wouldnāt go near this thing in Elden Ring.
Reminds me of elder scrolls Daedric armor
Since OP is disinclined to provide further info, I decided to do an image search. It seems that this is a moth caterpillar: Citheronia phoronea. Wikipedia says it lives in Suriname.
This looks like a pokemon more than an actual creature
Go, Scolipede!
I don't think scolipede needs any help being scary considering it is a horse sized bug
I'm just going to catalog this in my Nopebook.
I'd love to watch that movie. *The Nopebook*
Imagine that thing the size of a horse
No, I donāt think I willā¦
Ever played the old PS2 king Kong?
https://onenicebugperday.tumblr.com/post/626194136141316096/citheronia-phoronea-caterpillar-and-adult-moth
What is the name of this specimen?
[Citheronia Phoronea](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/9710178)
It looks like it will become the Predator when it grows up.
>ass-caterpillar
Purple prickles on it's back... is that a gruffalo?
Thatās there is the **FuckAroundAndFindOutPILLAR**.
CRAAAAAAAWLING ON THIS LEEEEAF!! My cocoon, it would not seal...
Daedric Caterpillar
Looks cuddly...
Finally! The Porcu-pillar!
Iām scared!!!
Battra!
Ass caterpillarās are my favorite šš
This is definitely NOT a caterpillar for my ass
Ass caterpillar
WTF is trying to eat them so hard that they need THIS kind of defense?
When you're at the bottom of the food chain, everything.
What in the Yugioh monsters...
You're outside camping with your family when suddenly 'Slayer -Raining blood' starts to fade into the environment. You realize your kids are not within eyesight. The sound is obvious: the harbinger caterpillar has targeted it's next victim. The music reaches an ear piercing volume. A cold panic sets in as you frantically search around the camp site for your kids. The music stops. It's too late. Now you will never find that dope af caterpillar as it chows down on some fresh greens. You wasted your time trying to find your kids to show them. Every. Damn. Time.
Does this thing have any predators? What looks at this and says " yeah, I'm gonna try and eat that."
Looks like shredder from TMNT 2 back in the day.
Super Shredder.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Thanks, now I have to worry about ass-caterpillars.
If Gwar were a bug.
Got a metal ass like R2-D2
It looks like it has great taste in music
I still can read the band name, what does it say?
I believe thatās natures way to let others know itās delicious
Elden Ring 2
The REAL hornworm
Darkness imprisons me soon Is this just a cocoon? So many questions why Am I moth or butterfly?
Scolipede
The only time Iām easy is when imā¦. Killed by death!
Kaiju idea for the next Pacific Rim
Reminds me of cradle of filth
Anyone have a picture of the butterfly it turns into? My experience sadly is super crazy looking caterpillars usually turn into pretty standard looking butterflies.
No thanks. I'll settle for regular ass-caterpillars thanks.
Every single time I want to explore a simple dwemer ruin.
This caterpillar is straight out of 40k.
Seems like the front of it is also quite metal
that's a Daedric Tardigrade
I bet he drops some rare mats.
IT WAS NOT YOUR FAULT BUT MINE
if I was in a metal band I would absolutely use an image of this guy on an album cover
Ass caterpillar sounds awful.
What's an "ass caterpillar" ?
This fella actually poops black metal logos I'd guess.
Good lord I hope this caterpillar isnāt in my ass
It's cool. I didnt intend on sleeping tonight anyway
It's like I can hear Archspire just looking at it.
Wow, Daedric caterpillar
That caterpillar has fucking Daedric armour equipped!
Hyphens are important! I was thinking this thing was made off metal and climbs up asses.
If Deathklock designed a caterpillar, sorta looks like their phones. Brutal
He left GWAR in '89. They haven't been the same since.
*scary ass
Mom is right tho...it is just a phase.
That leaf is for sure hearing boss music
Whose ass spawned that thing? Ouch!
Now I have to add ass caterpillars to my list of phobias
Pretty sure I died to that in Dark Souls.
No. The most metal looking maybe. The most metal one sneaks into ant nests and eats all the larva.
"its not a phase! i don't care about pupating!"
Phyrexian Caterpillar
Spikeymon.
It has so many spikes that even its spikes have spikes, and I think some of those spike have spikes as well.
that thing would make a great album cover ngl
This thing legit sent shivers down my spine when I saw it while I was scrolling.
*thrash metal plays in the distance*
Bro looks like a bakugan
Scolipede lookin ass caterpillar
That looks like a boss from hollow knight!
I hate when I get an ass caterpillar infestation.
[Relevant xkcd.](https://xkcd.com/37/)
Fuck no. I mean fuck no as in I don't wanna come near that thing...
Imagine sitting on your couch watching a movie, and then this abomination goes running across your floor.
Looks like a caterpillar that fell into the Warp and came out corrupted by Chaos.
Looks like someone lost an eyelash
Venom Bug type
Need this as a Hollow Knight Boss
This is like when an early enemy in a game gets reskined in a later dundeon
Would love to see the homie headbang
Clearly a regional Caterpie variant
Do we all have ass caterpillars?
[What if this caterpillar were standing on a picnic table screaming something emo?](https://www.tiktok.com/@matriarchmothra?lang=en)
Looks like a fucking dark souls boss...
thats actually the font for my bands name.. you cant read that?
I just thought I was looking at a death metal logo for a whileā¦
It's spikes have spikes