Skiff Moth Caterpillar 2

Left view of a skiff moth caterpillar (Prolimacodes badia) that my sister found on 8/29/10.

My sister found this odd creature on a leaf from an oak tree in our front yard. I would like to thank for identifying it for me.

I did not measure it, but it fit comfortably on the end of my finger, and I guess it was about half an inch long.

Its shell is leaf-like in color and texture, but is as far as I can tell organic in nature, and not made by the creature itself. It has what appears to be eight respiratory openings on the upper ridges of its shell, as well as seven lighter-colored spots that could be olfactory sensors.

Its underside is composed of a fleshy substance that resembles a blend between a snail's foot and caterpillar prolegs. When sitting on my finger its grip was firm and required gentle prying to pull free.

When I was finished photographing it, I returned it to the tree where my sister had found it.