This Is a Crowned slug moth, I found it in September and four days later it made its cocoon.
The caterpillar eats oak, cherry, maple, hickory, elm and other woody plants.
The first instar (first stage after emerging from the egg) does not usually eat. But the caterpillar is only in this stage for a day or two. The second and third instar eats in zig-zag patterns.
Crowned slug moth larva has stinging hairs along the the ends of its body, two red dots on lower end of body and the front end crested with orange or red. So don’t touch it with bare hands! It only grows to 1.5 cm long.
This is the first time I have found one of these. Since it is in the cocoon right now, it appears to overwinter. I assume it will emerge in April or May like my Eastern Black Swallowtails did. I am looking forward to seeing what happens!
How did you do on the pop quiz?