I’m not making it up folks, this is what this caterpillar is called. It’s a gentle giant, said to be the largest in North American and somewhat of a rarity. Unfortunately, this image doesn’t give a good idea of the actual size. It can grow up to six inches in length and ¾ of an inch in diameter. We found this one here in the Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia. This caterpillar is larva to the Giant Silk moth known as the Regal Moth …also known as the Royal Walnut Moth.
I’m thankful to have gotten chance to photograph such an unusual creature. In all my years I’ve lived here in the mountains, this is a first for me! It was near a Walnut tree that we discovered this big beauty.
Taken for a possible painting project by L.Costello Hinchey, Image take in SW Virginia (USA) in the middle Appalachian Mnts. www.chstudios.net
Camera Info.- Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi

Challenges:
Mood & Ambi(e)nce Group
6th place Creepy Bugs Challenge- May ’10
Just for Fun Group- 3rd runner up in the Alien Visitors Challenge- Aug./Sept. 2011
4th runner up in the Strange Nature Challenge of the Mood & Ambi(e)nce Group- Oct. 2011

Features:
APPALACHIAN ARTISTS group
7th place in the TOP TEN in the Beginning With C – Avatar Challenge in the Bug Hunt! Group!!- June 2010