Moths Grow on Trees

Moths, butterflies and other insects rely on leafy plant material to complete their life cycles. Their larval stages, such as this woolly bear type of caterpillar of the giant leopard moth, need trees - please don't cut them down without a good reason.

This bristly little cherub was glistening with raindrops, showing off its little prolegs (little stumps in the central part of its body),

but it was only when I looked at the other side that the coloration helped determine the species. The reddish bands only show when its body is extended.

Believe it or not, those scary looking bristles aren't poisonous and don't cause irritation - I'm not willing to test this though.