Grey Pug Moth?

12 years ago

I found this guy clinging to the outside wall of my compost bin along the bottom. It was stretched way out trying to blend itself in with its surroundings. I really find the greatest insect gathering around it. It was about 3 1/2 inches long in length. When it moved it inched along. As you can see it had legs at the front and to the back of its body. Nothing in the middle.
I did some quick research and the only critter that came close was the Grey Pug but I'm not sure of its range.
I put this one back on the compost bin and when I returned later in the day to take better pictures, it was gone. The ones I did take were hastily taken.
Any ideas on what this could be?

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Comments (4)

dbobul
Original Author
12 years ago
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dbobul
Original Author
12 years ago
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larry_gene
12 years ago
It is very likely a noctuid moth caterpillar, because of the 4 pairs of protolegs on abdominal segments (in addition to the 3 pairs of true legs on the thorax, behind the head), and because noctuids are a very large family and are very common.

The moth you chose, the grey pug, is a geometrid species (inchworm or looper). These have just two pairs of protolegs, very far back near the tail end, that is why they "loop" or arch up when moving. So your caterpillar is not a larva of the pug moth.

I have no idea what species yours would be, if it was truly over 3 inches long it could turn into a sizable moth (rather than the small and dainty geometrids).

The pictures you posted were excellent for showing the protolegs and what family of moth this could belong to.
User
12 years ago
Beautiful caterpillar photos.