This caterpillar is beginning to build its cocoon out of silk threads it produces. Sadly, they are very small, meaning that it takes 2000-3000 cocoons to produce about 3 feet of silk cloth.
7. Hyalophora Cecropia
The above photo is the caterpillar stage. The colorful decorations on the caterpillar’s back are actually called tubercles and researchers believe they’re used to deter predators.
Once out of the cocoon (left side of the photo), this female spreads its wing to dry them out before she’ll attempt to fly. This species wingspan can grow as large as 6 inches (15cm), making them the largest moth species in North America.
8. Macaria Occiduuaria
Caught mid-flight Mt. Hood National Park, Oregon, U.S.A. – At the caterpillar stage, this species doesn’t have legs, making it slow and clumsy to a degree where it spends most of its days going around itself in circles.
9. Wasp Moth
Before it starts building its cocoon, the wasp moth caterpillar forms protective “fences” before he starts building a cocoon to block hungry ants from reaching his cocoon.
10. Ctenucha Virginica
This is also a type of wasp moth, native to Cross Lake in Minnesota, U.S.A. – While most moths are nocturnal, this species is one of the only ones that are active both at night and during the day.