Gentle Giants of the Deciduous Forest: The Hickory Horned Devil

The Hickory Horned Devil is one of North America's largest moth species, and it's a sight to behold. Reaching lengths of up to 7 inches, these caterpillars are covered in small black spikes and inch-long red horns tipped in black, giving them a unique turquoise blue color.

These massive creatures spend most of their lives underground, feeding on the leaves of various tree species including hickory, walnut, sycamore, basswood, sweetgum, and persimmon. They shed their skin five times as they grow, eventually reaching a size where they can't consume any more food.

When this happens, they undergo a transformation, releasing their hold on their branch and tumbling to the ground. This is the same fate that befell one hiker who witnessed a Hickory Horned Devil fall from above, landing just feet away.