Amazing caterpillar, about 15 cm long. Anybody have an idea what this might metamorphose into?

7 minutes ago, islandguy said:

Anybody have an idea what this might metamorphose into?

Clearly not Godzilla...but possibly Mothra...

Can't really make heads or tails from that picture. My wife said she may have seen something like that when she was young (30 years ago ). I have seen "one of a kind" things in Thailand before. Related, I saw a butterfly, huge, about the size of your two hands making a butterfly, bright orange only once in my 12 years living here.

14 minutes ago, bunnydrops said:

Can't really make heads or tails from that picture.

Yes.....some better pics might help

1 hour ago, islandguy said:

Anybody have an idea what this might metamorphose into?

Possibly a better photographer than you!

You don't want to touch this Caterpillar I did by accident,

the pain was really bad,

regards worgeordie

I don’t even want to get close enough to take a better picture! It’s way up a tree, that’s why it’s hard to get a better shot.

...

A butterfly or moth.

Slightly better

Looking online the Atlanta moth is similar but not identical. Hope we get to see the ‘mothra’

Atlas Moth

it'll go into something else i guess .... a bug or flying moth or something.

go inside and do the dishes will ya'

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

it'll go into something else i guess .... a bug or flying moth or something.

go inside and do the dishes will ya'

Please don’t trigger my ‘Yes, Dear’ response, it’s already bad enough!

It looks like the larva of the atlas moth.

 

Pictures of both moth and larva here:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attacus_atlas

On 9/20/2020 at 1:30 PM, Moonlover said:

It looks like the larva of the atlas moth.

 

Pictures of both moth and larva here:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attacus_atlas

You nailed it. 

Certainly very similar. However, a horticulturist friend with long experience with Atlas moths and larvae thought it was different enough to likely be another, similarly large moth. To me it looks fatter and without the spots of color. 

 

Hi yes it is Attacus atlas, the Atlas moth. We raise a few dozens of these on a local fruit tree for the kids every year. No problem to touch these caterpillars, the hairs are not sharp or urticating. 

Thanks for the replies. Now if I can spot the cocoon!

16 minutes ago, islandguy said:

Now if I can spot the cocoon!

 

From Wikipedia:

 

Atlas moth cocoons are sometimes used as small pocket change purses in Taiwan.^[15]

probably tasty in a curry.. (or so the wife says)

2 hours ago, plentyofnuttin said:

On 9/20/2020 at 1:30 PM, Moonlover said:

It looks like the larva of the atlas moth.

 

Pictures of both moth and larva here:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attacus_atlas

 

2 hours ago, plentyofnuttin said:

You nailed it. 

I've never seen the larva, but I have seen 2 of the adult moths and very beautiful they are too.

 

The size was the giveaway clue.