I live in the midwest ( not to far from Chicago) My daughter found a giant leopard moth in the yard. After researching it I found out that it is normally found in the easter and southern states. Should this caterpillar have been in this region of the US?
2007-10-27 13:23:26 · 3 answers · asked by Daniel C 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
The warmer weather this in the past few years may have allowed the moth to extend its normal range.
It is also possible that it hitchhiked on a passing car or truck and was driven to Chicago. Lots of people like to visit why not moths.
2007-10-27 16:00:40 · answer #1 · answered by paul 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"It is distributed throughout the Southern and Eastern United States from New England to Mexico."
The giant leopard moth caterpillar shouldn't necessarily be found in your area. It is possible one flew that way during migration and got lost, or the moth escaped from a surrounding butterfly place, OR someone let a captive moth free. There are many possibilities.
2007-10-27 20:32:31 · answer #2 · answered by Bubbles 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check this link. It may be another species, but it may also be a stray. A key feature of the giant leopard moth are the numerous "O" spots (hollow and round; other species have solid or rectangular spots).
The folks at UChicago should know if there are local records and/or be interested in yours.
2007-10-28 21:05:21 · answer #3 · answered by candy2mercy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋