Hickory horned devil catterpilar

The hickory horned devil (Citheronia regalis) is the larvae of the Regal or Royal Walnut Moth. It is noted for the presence of spikes from head to abdomen. It is however bulky and found mostly in the rainy season. This photo was taken in Cameroon in the grassland area of Bamenda in August 2018. The hickory horned devil is harmless. The species is rare in Cameroon and should not be killed if seen. 

Hickory horned devil mostly feeds on the Walnut (Juglans nigra)

These species of caterpillars difer from most other caterpillars that spin a cocoon. Instead, they burrow down into the ground to transform into an adult moth.

They are classified below:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Subphylum: Atelocerata

Class: Hexapoda(including Insecta)

Infraclass: Neoptera

Subclass: Pterygota

Order: Lepidoptera

Superfamily: Bombycoidea

Family: Saturniidae

Subfamily: Ceratocampinae

Genus: Citheronia

Species: Citheronia regalis

 Pictures taken by Ngala Maimomaimo's blog, horned devil catterpilarcaterpillar in cameroonj

Introduction

Hello. Welcome to maimo and zoology blog. Here you will find interesting facts, ideas and fauna in Cameroon, how exciting it is. A country that habitates the world's biggest Toad. You are going to see more and more.
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