Giant Leopard Moth (Ecpantheria scribonia)

This is also known as the Great Leopard Moth

Click on any of the thumbnails to get a larger picture.

	These are second instar caterpillars. At this stage, they are mostly black with a red-brown band in the middle. When they curl in a ball, the red body can be clearly seen. When disturbed, these caterpillars will readily drop from the plant and curl in a ball. Although their food plant is often cited as plantain or dandilion, they eat just about any plant. We mostly feed them weeds from our garden, which they eat with no problem.
	These are third and fourth instar caterpillars.
	The adult leopard moth is 1-2" in length white in color with distict black spots. Its abdomen is orange, as seen in the side view to the right.