“What kind of caterpillar is this?” asks Heather about the pink caterpillar-like creature pictured below. “When I saw it I Googled ‘Is there such a thing as a pink caterpillar?’ and your website came up with the article about the lady in Arizona. After reading that article I don’t think my pink caterpillar is the same kind as hers, as I live in Missouri and this one was found in a wooded area. So, can you tell me what kind it is? I thought my son was kidding when he told me to come look at a pink caterpillar. Please identify it for me? Thank you!” To begin with, we want to commend Heather’s son for his discovery and his curiosity – you don’t see a pink caterpillar every day. We also want to thank Heather for the fantastic photos and videos she sent in, two of which we included here.

Heather’s instinct to consult Google about this caterpillar was completely right, though sometimes it is easy to hit a dead end, even on our website – strangely enough, there are many species of pink caterpillars, so it is easy to get them confused. And that’s where we come in. Debbie refers to another pink caterpillar that a “lady in Arizona” found, and we believe she is referring to “an article about the palm flower caterpillar” we wrote a while back. She is absolutely correct in saying that the caterpillar she found is likely not the same caterpillar she found, for the exact reasons she states. Although the two caterpillars look similar, the palm flower caterpillar thrives in arid environments where palm trees grow (their source of food) – Missouri is no such environment.

So, what did Heather find? This caterpillar is a White-blotched Heterocampa (Heterocampa umbrata). The White-blotched Heterocampa is a species of moth, and let us tell you that the moth looks completely different to its caterpillar. The adult moth is a furry, black and white-speckled creature, while the caterpillar actually goes through several different colors (yellow, green, pink, and purple) throughout its maturation. The caterpillars feed on the leaves of oak trees and can be found in abundance in woodlands and parks. However, they do not cause lasting damage to the trees and are not considered pests. Some people might even find these moths and caterpillars in their homes as the moths are nocturnal and attracted to light, making homes beacons for these critters.

In conclusion, the pink caterpillar that Heather’s son found in the woods is a White-blotched Heterocampa caterpillar. They are beautiful and harmless creatures, and are nothing to worry about. We hope this helps, and we wish Heather and her son the very best – may he never lose his curiosity!

Summary

Article Name

Pink Caterpillar in Missouri Woodlands is a White-blotched Heterocampa Caterpillar

Description

"What kind of caterpillar is this?" asks Heather about the pink caterpillar-like creature pictured below. "When I saw it I Googled 'Is there such a thing as a pink caterpillar?' and your website came up with the article about the lady in Arizona. After reading that article I don’t think my pink caterpillar is the same kind as hers, as I live in Missouri and this one was found in a wooded area. So, can you tell me what kind it is? I thought my son was kidding when he told me to come look at a pink caterpillar. Please identify it for me? Thank you!" To begin with, we want to commend Heather's son for his discovery and his curiosity - you don't see a pink caterpillar every day. We also want to thank Heather for the fantastic photos and videos she sent in, two of which we included here.

Author

Worm Researcher Anton