Hickory Horned Devil 1

I raised four of these Hickory Horned Devils from about 3/4 of an inch; to their full size of about 4.5 inches. They ate foliage from many Sweet Gum branches that I pruned and supplied them in their terrarium. It took about 4 weeks for them to reach the size/age when they buried in their terrarium mud bottom where they will pupate and one day emerge, I hope, as Regal Moths.

 

No, these guys don't sting believe it or not although they look like they would eat your arm off. There are only four caterpillars in south Louisiana that sting: Io Moth, Buck Moth, Puss Moth & Saddleback Moth caterpillars.

Don't be scared, they don't sting.

excellent work, fantastic colours, composition, beauty, patience and aesthetic. Well done...!

 

Ricardo

Beautiful Macro...I did not know it was a 'bug' at first....fantiastic colors..it looks 'other-worldly'.......wonderful shot, great lighting, colors....but most of all I'm just glad they are not 'real big' and wander the 'streets'...........or under my bed....or anywhere in my house....."! wonderfully 'scary'...........congrats, Gail(PS...well deserving of 7's ...system just won't allow me..."

He is beautiful, and the picture isn't bad either. Very well done, good DOF, sharpness and color. Good composition. -- Charles

Well composed, that's some killer colours there!

Bella,divertente,interessante ! complimenti Paul

That is a great looking picture of an ugly looking fellow. You sure did a great job with the arrangements and the lighting is pretty good as well.

Regards,

Alex

Buena documentación, Perfecta definición y color.

Thanks all.

This thing is beautiful to some and ugly and disgusting to others, I've enjoyed the reactions when I brought it to my office to show my friends - they were like a bunch of children ohhing/ahhing/and some "get that thing the hell out of heres".

Large, it would be terrifying. I'd like to try and fashion a costume but I'm sure I'd look more like an alien than a caterpillar.

 

Kirk

WOW! I don’t usually care for insect photos but this is a real attention grabber. Great color and dof. Superb work! Regards, --George

Great subject. You kept really true and natural colors and they are quite striking as is the creature itself. He works really well on the plant you've given him and the background colors seem to echo his own and really provide a nice backdrop.

 

I guess it's artificial lighting and not sure if you used flash or what the setup was. The light feels maybe just a tad too focused, so the drop off into shadow about 2/3 of the way down seems a little quick. Since it's otherwise such a naturally dealt with scene and photo, that seems to affect the organic harmony for me.

Wow Kirk, this is fantastic! I hadn't seen many recent posts from you and wondered what you were up to, now I know!! Gorgeous colors, sharp as a tack. Can't believe you RAISED it!!!!

Very interesting critter you have here. Nicely done; dof and colors are super.

Very interesting creature!, spooky.... well composed , his colors are amazingly beautiful. The light is good I would have liked a bit more on its lower part, still a unique creature, with a nice shallow dof, and very good timing.

 

Glad to see you posting again , Kirk

Thanks Steve and George and George, if want to feel less guilty about looking at an insect picture, you can think of it as a picture of a pet.

 

Fred, the exif data says my flash didn't fire, I think I was shooting this day in the late evening light. The edges were to light and drawing attention outward so I darked the edges. On my laptop, it is just how I wanted it and is not strongly perceptible. When I look at it on my desktop or my computer at work, it is much darker than I like and must be how you are seeing it. This laptop drives me crazy for editing pictures but my desktop is always locking up. Thanks for your comments.

 

Jeanne, raising these things along with Cecropias, Milkweed Cats, Black Swallowtail Cats and Gulf Fritillary cats does take more time than one would think. Thanks for the visit.

 

Pnina, these things are so big, its hard to get much of their body if you want their head close up, which I think the horns and head parts with the legs is so impressive. There is some body in this shot but it may be darked out from reasons I mentioned to Fred above. I did post another with the body, these guys are amazing. Thanks.

 

Kirk

This is clearly a Martian. I also saw one once--a Luna Moth caterpillar, or Giant Silkworm. This is just fabulous for light and DOF.

All the different colors are amazing! Beautiful Work!!

That is one incredible and scary looking insect! Great shot - Best Regards ~ Gary

Congrats! A caterpillar more interesting than a butterfly. It's good to see this one so prominently featured.

Fantastic macro, congrats !

Hi Kirk!! Wow! Great Macro! Hope you and the family had a nice summer.

It sounds like you're from Louisiana.  I'm thinking Mardis Gras and all of the colorful costumes.  This bug would fit right in.  Incredible shot!