At first glance, they look like grape leaf skeletonizers, but they aren't eating the right plant.

Promethea moths eat spicebush. Here's a picture I made of an early instar promethea cat -

{{gwi:485457}}

You think maybe they're promethea moth cats?

Sherry

Bingo! Thanks!

Now ... I have to learn how to get them to adulthood.

Jeff

PS: How are you?

Try reading through this for instructions on rearing moths.

Here is a link that might be useful: HOW TO REAR SATURNIID MOTHS (giant silk moths)

I'm doing fine, Jeff - it's good to see you posting and finding caterpillars again!

I just raise my moths the same way I do butterflies. I put the host plant food in holes in leftovers containers with water and replace the food and clean the cage as needed. Since promethea moth cocoons hang on a peduncle (I think that's what it's called) you might want to keep extra sticks in the cage in case they prefer to make the cocoon in the natural style.

Good luck!

Sherry

P.S.

Spicebush swallowtails eat spicebush and sassafras leaves interchangeably, like they don't know the difference. I assume prometheas will probably do the same, so if you run out of spicebush leaves, I'm sure you can feed them sassafras.

This post was edited by misssherry on Sun, Jun 8, 14 at 10:30

Happy Cats! I took in 10. One perished. One is behind the others in instar. The rest look like this.

So cool! Hope I can get as lucky here. Thanks for posting new pics!

They look very healthy!

Sherry

Holy cannoli Jeff! If I found those guys on my Spicebush, the whole neighborhood would also be aware due to my screams of joy!!!! Wow, what a wonderful find. Lucky you. Congrats and good luck with them. Keep us posted. I already checked both of my Spicebushes this morning, and now you have me itching to check again already!~~Angie