POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. — It’s the largest caterpillar in Missouri and it might look fierce, but it’s harmless.
Have you heard of the hickory horned devil caterpillar?
The Springfield News-Leader recently shared a story about a man who found one living in his yard.
Stuart Brisco found the 5.5-inch-long caterpillar in Point Lookout backyard. Brisco told the Springfield News-Leader a construction crew doing work at his house spotted the caterpillar. He said he didn’t know this kind of caterpillar was in Missouri.
"It makes sense because after some research I found out that at this stage the caterpillar will find fresh soil to burrow into before it pupates into a moth," Brisco said. "My wife, knowing I would not want to miss out on seeing this cool creature, placed it in a five-gallon bucket until I got home from work. She sent me pictures and I was amazed by the size of the animal, but they did not do it justice," Brisco told Springfield News-Leader.
In the summer, the caterpillars emerge as Regal moths.
Chris Barnhart, a professor of biology at Missouri State University told the Springfield News-Leader hickory horned devils and Regal moths aren't particularly rare, though not many people see them
The Missouri Department of Conservation said they’re mostly found in the southern part of the state.
One comment on the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Facebook post, “is that from Pokemon?” another person said, “that would just freak me out!”
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