Caterpillars of Eastern Forests
Monkey Slug (Phobetron pithecium) [Hag Moth]
Most distinctive caterpillar in eastern North America. Densely hairy with 3 long and 3 shorter pairs of lateral lobes armed with short urticating spines. Lobes deciduous, hence occasionally missing. Thought to mimic cast skins of tarantulas (which also bear urticating hairs). Food: many forest trees and shrubs, especially oaks and cherries. Caterpillar: July to October; 1 generation in North.
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