100 Species of Caterpillars in North Carolina (with Pictures)

Surely you have seen a butterfly or moths fluttering through the landscape at least once in your lifetime, but how much do you know about them in their larval form? Caterpillars are remarkably diverse, just as varied in form and pattern as the grown-up moths. For starters, they have twelve eyes (six tiny eyelets) and six legs. They even eat their eggshell as the first meal! Luckily, you have got over a hundred species growing exponentially in North Carolina!

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Afflicted Dagger Moth Caterpillar

Brown-orange head with an orange body
The ubiquity of oak trees helps produce two caterpillar broods every year
Sparse whitish hair
Lean black dorsal stripes on the back
Bulging head

American Dagger Moth Caterpillar

Hairy, fuzzy pale yellow body with hair tufts
Long yellow hair cause instant itching
Black hair and long black lashes
Hair can break off into skin and sting, leaving burning sensation and skin irritation

American Lady Caterpillar

Black, branched spikes stick out of red-orange dots
Nest built with silk makes for a safe retreat
Black bands alternating with thin white/yellow bands

American Lappet Moth Caterpillar

Hairy legs
Lappers (hairy sides) present
Reddish-orange bands on the head
Wrinkled and bumpy body with two hands

Angus’ Datana Moth Caterpillar

White wispy hairs
Feasts alone or in groups on leaves
Elongated black body with yellow/white lines
Red and black legs

Army Cutworm

Bear a drab grey, brown, or orange body
Considered an agricultural pest
Tiny black dots spaced throughout the body
A pale band that extends down the spine

Banded Tussock Moth Caterpillar

Bristly body with distinct colors
Two pairs of white and black lengthy lashes on the head
The second pair of lashes below the first, leaning forward
The third pair positioned rearwards

Banded Woollybear Caterpillar

A dense layering of rust and black colored spiky hair
Black rear-end and head
Seeks refuge under leaf litter
A reddish-maroonish middle band that expands on maturity

Bent-line Dart Moth Caterpillar

Brown bodied with a brown head
Cryptically-colored species
A slender, pointed line extending till the read-end

Bent-line Gray Moth Caterpillar

Burnt bodied
Nibbles the tree leaves as they form and fall
Flat face with a brown head

Black-blotched Prominent Moth Caterpillar

Brown-body with a brown head
A hump on the lower half
Elongated horn beside the head
Wavy speckled lines

Black-waved Flannel Moth Caterpillar

Full of fuzzy, frilly hair
Overall color varies – brown, white, rusty orange, or yellow
Stinging setae are concealed among the hair

Blinded Sphinx Moth Caterpillar

White freckles and specks on the green body
Grows into a moth with eyespots devoid of pupils
Lacks head
Brown legs with green tail

Buck Moth Caterpillar

White dots all over the black-white body
A red-colored head
Multiple spines and their offshoots cause burning pain
Clusters of yellow spikes

Camouflaged Emerald Moth Caterpillar

Colorful body covered in debris
Uses plant parts to camouflage with surroundings
Spiky legs
Diagonally-positioned stripes and brown head

Catalpa Sphinx Moth Caterpillar

Black body with white capsules
Hosts on the native catalpa tree
A black-colored head and tan sides

Cecropia Silk Moth Caterpillar

Green, white, yellow body
Secrets chemical for defense
Yellow dots with spiny orange, blue bumps

Common Buckeye Butterfly Caterpillar

Orange/brown/multicolored head
Eyes morph into blue after maturation
Black body with white specks

Common Sawfly Larva

Yellow body with black spots
Multiple legs
Matures into a wasp
Bends backward

Cross-striped Cabbage Worm

Brown head with yellow sides
When young, it is small and green
Black dots throughout the body

Definite Tussock Moth Caterpillar

Black body with yellow cocoon
Black lashes
Holding it can cause pain and irritation.
Yellow bumps and head

Dogwood Sawfly Larva

Fuzzy, waxy appearance
It appears like plump flies and does not sting
Black colored head and yellow belly

Double-lined Prominent Caterpillar

A green head and black eyes
Red patches and stripe
Bears red patches that grow into a large stripe

Eastern Black Swallowtail Butterfly Caterpillar

Orange bumps on the body
Feeds on distinct wild plants and herbs
Causes stinky smell

Eastern Tent Caterpillar

A black-colored head
Its skin tents are tough to tear and offer a secure retreat for resting
Orange hair on feet
A white line on the back

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar

Green body
Gazes right at you through its clear eyespots
Eyespot on the side
Speckled body

Eight-spotted Forester Moth Caterpillar

Black polka dots on the body
Looks more like a butterfly than a moth
Orange head with rings
Blackish-white stripes

Evergreen Bagworm

Multicolored/brown head
An intelligent case that prevents it from drying out
Speckled, mottled body

Fall Webworm

Found in clusters
Lengthy yellow/white don’t possess stinging capabilities
Covers with spikes and hair

False Unicorn Caterpillar

Brown head with red bumps
Feeds on woody plants like Fagus and Betula
Sharp bristles on the body

Fig Sphinx Moth Caterpillar

Black/green/white-colored head
Undergoes extreme color transitions ranging from white to two-toned
White diagonal lines on sides

Forest Tent Caterpillar

Black/brown body
Usually sticks in a herd while traveling on tree trunks
Light blue stripes and yellow lines
Feathery legs

Giant Leopard Moth Caterpillar

Black-colored head and body
Surprisingly safe to touch despite deadly-looking black clusters of spikes
Expansive yellow-red bands on body

Gold Moth Caterpillar

Orange head and body
Loses its bright colors to turn into a metallic, shining beauty
Black stripes with white sides

Goldenrod Hooded Owlet Moth Caterpillar

Only 1.1” in size
Long yellow, green, white stripes and a brown line on their fleshy bodies.
Striped body

Hahncappsia Moth Caterpillar

Fleshy green-green body
A summer moth and active during summer months.
Covered with black dots

Hibiscus Leaf Caterpillar

Brown/tan body with a yellow-brown head
Feeds on the leaves of tropical flowers
Four black dots on each segment

Hickory Horned Devil

Long antennae and curved antlers
Despite its appearance, it is safe to touch
Blackish-red horns
Orange/red/multicolored/black-colored head

Hitched Arches Moth Caterpillar

Diamond-like green body
Universally found in distinct habitats as it feeds on varied plant
Flat read end
Yellow bands

Humped Green Fruitworm

Green body and head
Features a yellow-striped triangular bump near its rear end.
Yellow speckles and stripes

Imperial Moth Caterpillar

Brown-green body with yellow/orange/black/brown head
Bears multiple rows with pointy horns on the head with a variably-colored body
Fine white hair

Io Moth Caterpillar

Green/red/white body
An array of green spines cover the entire body
White and red stripes on the side

Juniper-twig Geometer Moth Caterpillar

White stripes on the body
The slender brownish-green body helps it merge with the conifers it feasts on
Brown head with yellow legs

Large Tolype Moth Caterpillar

Pale-colored body with bumps
Carries a feathery fringe around its legs to cover lichen-laced trunks
White/gray hairs around body

Long-horned Slug

Variety of colors on body – green, purple, brown, red, maroon
Develops purple diamonds on its back
Two orange tails and dots

Luna Moth Caterpillar

Green/orange body with pink-red dots
Blackish-brown head
Covered in tiny red spots and stripes with yellow centers.

Mealybug Destroyer Beetle Larva

White, cotton-like body
Devours multiple plant-attacking bugs
Covered with hairs

Milkweed Tussock Moth Caterpillar

Marroonish-yellow body
Loves feeding on its host plants
Yellow hairs on the back
Black hair tufts and head

Mini Bagworm

Dried needle-like body
Movable cases enclosing it are built with whichever dead plant it feeds on
Multicolored head (black-brown striped)

Monarch Butterfly Caterpillar

Blackish-yellow stripes
Two black tails
Favors milkweed as a host, and relies on its presence to maintain populations
A pair of black antennae

Monkey Slug Caterpillar

Fuzzy, hairy body
Appears more like a hairy octopus than a caterpillar.
Snail-like bodily features
Brown head with black tip

Nason’s Slug

Green body with orange dots
Appears more like a snail without a shell; less like a caterpillar.
Spines in the dots

Oldwife Underwing Moth Caterpillar

Ivory head
Dark, squiggly lines embrace the head and body
Four white bumps on the head
Hair fringes by legs

Orangedog Caterpillar

Snake-like appearance
Snakes around citrus trees and feeds on leaves by sticking its tongue out at predators.
Wide head
Red tongue

Owl-eyed Bird Dropping Moth Caterpillar

White “i” on back
Quietly resides in oak barrens and woodlands
Black-colored head
Orange sides
Wispy black hair on the body

Pandorus Sphinx Moth Caterpillar

Orange/green/brown body
Engulfs vines growing in the forests and gardens.
White/orange side spots
Green-colored head

Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly Caterpillar

Reddish-purple body
Mimicked by butterflies due to its reputation for tasting terrible
Orange tentacles and dots
Black-colored head

Polyphemus Moth Caterpillar

Chubby green body
Matures into a large, curvy moth with alluring eyes.
White dots and red rings
Flat brown head

Puss Caterpillar

Brownish-orange body
Looks fascinating, but it’s best to avoid contact with its stinging hairs
Furry and soft to touch

Question Mark Caterpillar

Red, orange body
The head and body stick out branching spikes
Black and red spikes
Red-colored head with white dots

Red Admiral Butterfly Caterpillar

Black body with orange base spots
Gives its location away by securing leaves with silk and folding them
Black branching spikes

Red-humped Caterpillar

Red hump and head
Skeletonizes leaves, leaving behind only their veins.
Black spikes
Orange sides

Red-spotted Purple Admiral Caterpillar

Grey/white-colored body
Uses its own droppings to safeguard its cocoon.
Two black antennae

Retarded Dagger Moth Caterpillar

White bands and black lines
Usually spotted on maple trees.
Four red bumps with hairs
Brown speckled head

Saddleback Caterpillar

Greenish-brown body
Touching the black ‘button’ on its back causes stinging pain
Bears white rings
Antennae by butt and head

Saddled Prominent Moth Caterpillar

Flat brown head
Characterized by its instability.
Diagonal dashes on the side

Silver-spotted Skipper Caterpillar

Reddish-maroon head
Loves taking daytime naps in the leaves of its host
Orange eye spots
Dark rings

Silvery Checkerspot Caterpillar

Spiky black body
Inhabited in moist, somewhat open spaces like meadows and streamsides
A black-colored head with orange side stripes

Skiff Slug

Egg-shaped body
Blends well with shrub leaves and treas that it engulfs to veins
Flattened back
Raised towards the sides

Slug Caterpillar

Egg-shaped body
Possesses wide, flat body and resembles snails
Covered with spines
Green colored

Smaller Parasa Moth Caterpillar

Flat-bodied
Sluggishly moves over stems of plants
Short brown hairs

Smartweed Caterpillar

Black colored
Makes an appearance during the spring and fall seasons
V-shaped yellow sides

Snowberry Clearwing Moth Caterpillar

A green head
A harmless, sharp-looking horn stationed at its rear end
Carries a black tail
Yellow scruff neck

Southern Tussock Moth Caterpillar

Blackish-brown head
It’s recommended to tread cautiously near this caterpillar.
Black bumps on the back

Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly Caterpillar

Carries a bulging head with multiple bright colors
A greenish-yellow body
Appears snake-like
Has steely blue dots on the side

Spiny Elm Caterpillar

Its sting causes excruciating pain
A black-colored head and body
Black spikes
Four red legs with a bumpy head

Spiny Oak Slug

Possesses short hairs that can embed themselves and cause irritation
Orangish-brown body with brown bands
A brown-colored head with spiky hairs

Spotted Apatelodes Moth Caterpillar

Its soft, fine hairs might fasten themselves in the skin
Extremely fuzzy in appearance
Bears black antennae
Covered with long black hairs
Red legs and feet

Spotted Tussock Moth Caterpillar

It is a non-stinging caterpillar
A woolly-bear like appearance
Black dots and bumps
Yellowish towards the middle

Spun Glass Slug

Looks more like a delicate chandelier than a caterpillar
Oval in shape
Fairly transparent in appearance
Green-colored body

Stinging Rose Caterpillar

Its stinging hairs cause pain when touched
Yellowish-red in color
A purple band on the middle of the back
Short-sized horns

Sycamore Tussock Moth Caterpillar

The pencils and tufts on its skin may irritate the skin
Orange-headed caterpillar
Orange-colored lashes
Furry with black hairs

Tersa Sphinx Moth Caterpillar

A snake-like appearance
Brown or green bodied
Large eyespots are helpful for the identification
A black, thorned tail
Bears a bulging head

The Half-wing Moth Caterpillar

Thin tap stripes extending towards the back
Orange spots on the side
Black speckles on its head
Twig-like appearance

Thistle Caterpillar

A black-colored head
Orangish-red nodes
Hairy, fuzzy face
Features yellow branching spines

Tiger Moth Caterpillar

Black-colored body
A yellow line running through the middle
A black-colored head
Feeds on distinct plants

Tobacco Hornworm

Well known to crop farmers where it destroys plants like tobacco and tomato upon maturation
Bright green body and head
Carries seven white diagonal stripes located at an upward angle
Tiny black eyespots rest at the base of each angled line

Tulip-tree Beauty Moth Caterpillar

A swollen neck provides it a snake-like profile
A yellow-colored head
Green-colored body
Slender black and white sidelines

Unicorn Caterpillar Moth

Elevated head like that of a unicorn
A white V-shaped mark
Long, single horn
Bears sparse hairs

Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar

Oozes out a stinging, acidic spray that leaves handlers with blisters
Green-colored body
Paired red bumps
Diagonal stripes on the face

Variegated Fritillary Butterfly Caterpillar

Red-colored body
Fashions long black spikes
Elongated yellow lines on the body

Virginia Creeper Hornworm

A greenish-brown body
Black-colored tail
Presence of white granules and dots

Virginian Tiger Moth Caterpillar

Its hairs aren’t poisonous but can irritate the skin
Rusty-orange body
Blackish rings between the orange
A black-colored head

Walnut Caterpillar

The hairs might appear menacing, but it does not sting
Black-colored head
Whitish-black body

Wavy-lined Heterocampa Moth Caterpillar

Forms antlers on its head
Carries two tails
Greenish-brown body

White Admiral Caterpillar

Does a great impression of bird-dropping
Features two black spiky horns
Two bumps on the back
Greyish-brown head

White Flannel Moth Caterpillar

Boldly-colored body
Bears short and stinging hairs
Yellowish-red head

White Furcula Caterpillar

A long forked tail sticking straight up
Large brown-colored head
Bristles on the tail

White-blotched Heterocampa Caterpillar

Undergoes dramatic color transformation as it mutates into purple
Boasts a birthmark on the back
Two black bumps

White-marked Tussock Moth Caterpillar

Causes pain and itching upon touching it
Yellow-colored body
Black stripe on the back
Black-colored antennae

100 Types of Caterpillars in North Carolina

So, this was all about the 100 commonly found species of caterpillars in North Carolina.

Observing a caterpillar grow into adulthood is an exciting experience, raising it is even better!

For starters, you get to testify one of the world’s most natural events. Moreover, you’ll get the opportunity to definitely distinguish among the hundreds of species around!

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