Green caterpillars can be found all over the place — all over the world, and even in your garden! These little creatures often have a knack for hiding in your plants and vegetables, and can often cause destruction by munching their way through them, before they turn into beautiful butterflies or moths.
Have you ever wondered what type of green caterpillars are residing in your home? There are many types of green caterpillar out there — some are big, some are small, some are dangerous and some are not! They can be differentiated by many factors, including their interesting patterns and markings.
Below we have compiled a list of the different types of green caterpillars you might see around, so you can get to know them a little better. Keep reading on to find out more.
Types Of Green Caterpillar
IO Moth Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Saturniidae
- Genus: Automeris
- Species: Automeris io
The io moth caterpillar are found in Cape Cod and Massachusetts, sometimes in the Gulf States and New England. They begin a reddish brown color with black spines, but, as they grow, change their color to light green with reddish-white stripes. Their spines are arranged in distinct “bouquets” which gives the caterpillar is very unique look.
The spines are mildly poisonous and can cause allergic reactions. This caterpillar eats many different types of plants, such as corn, roses, willow, linden, elm, oak, locust, apple, beech, ash, currant, and clover.
Winter Moth Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Geometridae
- Genus: Operophtera
- Species: Operophtera brumata
The winter moth caterpillar is found in Europe and the Near East. This green caterpillar is noted for its two pairs of green legs towards its posterior and has horizontal white stripes. It is also known as an inchworm, because it only grows to be about an inch long (2.5 cm).
The winter moth caterpillar can be very invasive. They feed on oak, maple, willow, and beech tree leaves, but will actually eat the leaves of any tree that grows. They will also eat raspberry and blueberry shrubs.
Imperial Moth Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Saturniidae
- Genus: Eacles
- Species: Eacles imperialis
The imperial moth caterpillar ranges from Argentina to Canada and from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Coast. This caterpillar is not poisonous, but can do a lot of damage to crops. They are quite large, with some measuring up to 5.5” (10 cm). They can be green and yellow in color or brown and burgundy.
Rough Prominent Moth Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Notodontidae
- Genus: Nadata
- Species: Nadata gibbosa
The rough prominent moth caterpillar, also known as the green oak caterpillar, is found across North America from the northern boreal forests to as far south as Florida. It is blue green in color, turning bright green as it approaches pupation age. It has a large head capsule, yellow mandibles, and yellow longitudinal stripes down its body. It also has a red circular dot on the side of each segment.
The rough prominent caterpillar feeds on the leaves of oaks and other deciduous trees. It matures at 0.7” (1.7 cm) long.
Cabbage Looper Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Noctuidae
- Genus: Trichoplusia
- Species: Trichoplusia ni
The cabbage looper caterpillar can be found across North America and Eurasia, as far south as Florida and as far north as British Columbia. It is called a looper because it arches its back into a loop when it crawls.
The cabbage looper caterpillar is green in color with a white stripe on the side. After hatching, they are green and slightly hairy, but eventually turn green and lose the hair, leaving only a few bristles. They are usually 3 to 4 cm long.
These caterpillars, as their name suggests, like to eat cabbage and other leafy garden plants. They can eat up to 3 times their body weight!
Hackberry Emperor Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Nymphalidae
- Genus: Asterocampa
- Species: Asterocampa celtis
The hackberry emperor caterpillar is found across a wide range within North America. They are approximately 1.4″ long and have a whitish-yellow chalazae, or bumps. Their head has brown-black colored dorsal horns and two sharp tails protrude outwards level with the abdomen at the back.
As their name suggests, these green caterpillars feed upon the leaves and leaf buds of hackberry trees. They have been known to eat so much at a time that they can completely defoliate a tree!
Angle Shades Moth Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Noctuidae
- Genus: Phlogophora
- Species: Phlogophora meticulosa
The angle shades moth caterpillar can be found throughout Europe, as far east as the Urals and also in the Azores, in Algeria, and in Asia Minor, Armenia, and Syria. These caterpillars can be dull green with whitish dorsal lines, or green or brown with red spots along their sides. They feed on a wide variety of plants, including broccoli, celery, lettuce and leaves of trees such as oak, apple, pear and bramble.
Hickory Horned Devil Moth Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Saturniidae
- Genus: Citheronia
- Species: Citheronia regalis
The hickory horned devil moth caterpillar is found in North America, particularly in the American Deep South. They are a bright green color and have huge, black-tipped red horns, which earns them their common name hickory horned devils.
They can grow up to 15 centimetres (5.9 in) long. Despite their frightening appearance, the spines, though prickly, do not sting, and the larva is harmless and actually very easily handled.
Cecropia Moth Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Saturniidae
- Genus: Hyalophora
- Species: Hyalophora cecropia
The cecropia moth caterpillar is found all across North America as far west as Washington and north into the majority of Canadian provinces. These caterpillars are one of the most attractive — the larvae start off as a yellowish-green color before becoming bluish-green in later stages. It is also one of the larger caterpillars, measuring up to 4.5 inches long!
One of the unique identifying features of this caterpillar are the yellow, blue, or orange tubercles that grow on the body. Each of these colorful bumps sprouts small black spikes. The cecropia moth caterpillar feeds mainly on maple, cherry, and birch leaves.
Rustic Sphinx Moth Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Sphingidae
- Genus: Manduca
- Species: Manduca rustica
The rustic sphinx moth caterpillar is found in the southern parts of the United States, southward through Mexico, Central America and South America to Uruguay. This caterpillar has a unique appearance, with black and white markings in zig-zag patterns and a horn-shaped sting on end, although this is just for the show. It gets its name because it raises its body from the front, just like the Sphinx in Egypt.
Cabbage White Butterfly Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Pieridae
- Genus: Pieris
- Species: Pieris rapae
The cabbage white butterfly caterpillar is widespread in Europe and Asia, and is also found in North Africa, North America, New Zealand, and Australia. As its name suggests, it feeds on cabbage, as well as kale, bok choy and broccoli crops, making it a nuisance to farmers and gardeners. They also multiply very quickly and can take over a garden within weeks.
These caterpillars have long, thin bodies that are green and have yellow markings interspersed throughout. Their bodies also look a little fuzzy. The larvae are born with black heads. These turn yellow and then green as the larvae mature.
European Puss Moth Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Notodontidae
- Genus: Cerura
- Species: Cerura vinula
The European puss moth caterpillar is found across Europe, across temperate Asia to China and in North Africa. They grow to about 80 millimetres (3.1 in) long and are bright light green and have a blackish-brown or purplish-brown dorsal pattern outlined in white or yellowish. Their heads are triangle-shaped head and they have a long, spiked tail.
These caterpillars have two stings at their tail, which they use to fight off threats. They also have long gnashing teeth and can project spit that contains toxic, poisonous acid a long distance. They wag their tail sideways when it is angered or agitated.
Luna Moth Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Saturniidae
- Genus: Actias
- Species: Actias luna
The luna moth caterpillar is found in North America. It has orange and red spots on its back and a vibrant-lime green body. These caterpillars also have ridges in sections rather than smooth bodies. Although this caterpillar doesn’t sting, the sharp spikes could prick your skin and cause irritation.
This caterpillar molts five times before finally spinning their cocoons. Just before spinning a cocoon, the luna moth caterpillar becomes a reddish-brown color. They can grow up to two and three-fourths inches long as caterpillars.
The luna moth caterpillar feeds on maple, birch, beech, oak, lemon, lime, and other citrus trees.
Copper Underwing Moth Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Noctuidae
- Genus: Amphipyra
- Species: Amphipyra pyramidea
The copper underwing moth caterpillar is found across the Palaearctic region including Europe, North Africa, the Near East, Iran, southern Siberia, northern India, Korea and Japan.
This caterpillar has a hornless hump on its end and is born with a translucent, neon green color. As it matures and eats greener leaves and plants, the caterpillar’s color tends to darken. It measures up to 3 and a half inches long and often has a thin yellow line on its side.
The copper underwing moth caterpillar often sits upright even when resting. It eats leaves from raspberry, oak, maple, and apple trees.
White-Lined Sphinx Moth Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Sphingidae
- Genus: Hyles
- Species: Hyles lineata
The white-lined sphinx moth caterpillar is found throughout Central and North America. They are powerful eaters and are known to form massive groupings capable of damaging crops and gardens.
These caterpillars have orange spots surrounded by black markings arranged in lines down the whole body. They also have a horn on the end of their tail, which looks dangerous, but is actually not — it can’t even poke you! The back legs of this caterpillar are covered with white-speckled black and yellow dots.
Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Papilionidae
- Genus: Papilio
- Species: Papilio glaucus
The tiger swallowtail butterfly caterpillar is native to eastern North America and is one of the most familiar caterpillars and butterflies in this area. This caterpillar has a green-colored body as larvae, however it changes into a dark brown color just before it spins its cocoon.
One of the most distinct features of this caterpillar is the marking resembling eyes on the caterpillars head, which are green and yellow dots with black markings. The ‘eyes’ act as a defensive mechanism to frighten off predators. They also have a white or yellow band just behind the head.
When the tiger swallowtail butterfly is provoked or threatened, it produces a foul odor. It also shows a protruding “tongue” when threatened.
Emperor Moth Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Saturniidae
- Genus: Saturnia
- Species: Saturnia pavonia
The emperor moth caterpillar is found in the Palearctic region. These caterpillars are black and orange in color at the larvae stage but develop a green color as they mature. They show horizontal rows of bushy orange and yellow spots and distinct black rings surround these spots. They also have stiff and sharp spines that can cause cuts, scratches, rashes, and other skin irritations.
Black Swallowtail Butterfly Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Papilionidae
- Genus: Papilio
- Species: Papilio polyxenes
The black swallowtail butterfly caterpillar is found throughout much of North America. They have lime-green colored bodies with black spots and stripes and yellow spots on the stripes. When squeezed, they have yellow horns that protrude from the head.
To ward off predators, they can produce a foul smell and also absorb toxins from host plants, and therefore taste poor to bird predators. They also show an orange “tongue” when threatened, which is forked just like a snakes.
Genista Broom Moth Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Crambidae
- Genus: Uresiphita
- Species: Uresiphita reversalis
The genista broom moth caterpillar is found across North America. It has distinct raised black and white dots and a unique brownish-green color. Its head is also black, which makes it stand out. This caterpillar has protruding white wispy spines, too, although it is not classed as a furry type of caterpillar. The genista broom moth caterpillar is often found feeding on pea plants and honeysuckles.
Tomato Hornworm Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Sphingidae
- Genus: Manduca
- Species: Manduca quinquemaculata
The tomato hornworm caterpillar, also known as the is found across North America and Australia. As its name suggests, this caterpillar lives on tomato plants and its related species. As it’s well camouflaged, it is difficult to spot and can destroy tomato crops in no time. They are often confused with a related species, the Tobacco Hornworm (Manduca sexta).
It has a green body and V-shaped white markings (stripes). They have a large head in comparison to the rest of their body. At their rear end, these green caterpillars have a protruding ‘tail’ that looks like a spike (or horn). This is completely harmless as this caterpillar is harmless.
Polyphemus Moth Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Saturniidae
- Genus: Antheraea
- Species: Antheraea polyphemus
The polyphemus moth caterpillar is widespread in continental North America, with local populations found throughout subarctic Canada and the United States. These caterpillars have a bright yellow color at birth and can grow up to four inches in length.
The caterpillar has a huge appetite and can eat 86,000 times its weight at emergence in a little less than two months!
Green Cloverworm Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Erebidae
- Genus: Hypena
- Species: Hypena scabra
The green cloverworm caterpillar is found in North America from Canada south to Florida and Texas. These caterpillars have yellowish-green heads, thin yellow lines wrapping around their body, and pale greenish-white stripes along their sides. They measure between 1” and 1.2” (2.5 to 3 cm) long.
They feed on low-growing legumes, including alfalfa, bean, clover, pea and soybean, and can be very destructive to plants. When disturbed, they squirm, which makes them look like they jump and then flop.
Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Pieridae
- Genus: Phoebis
- Species: Phoebis sennae
The cloudless sulphur butterfly caterpillar is found from South America to southern Canada. They are yellow to green in color, striped on the sides and have black dots in rows across the back. There are also tiny black setae — groups of bristle-like hairs on its body. They usually grow to a length of between 41 and 45 mm (1.6 and 1.8 in).
They tend to eat partridge pea, sennas, clovers, and other legumes. What they eat can actually change their color; green cloudless sulphur caterpillars get their color from feeding on green foliage. However, the yellow type of caterpillar occurs when the fat caterpillar grubs feed on yellow petals.
Diamondback Moth Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Plutellidae
- Genus: Plutella
- Species: Plutella xylostella
The diamondback moth caterpillar may have originated in Europe, South Africa, or the Mediterranean region, but it has now spread worldwide. These caterpillars are pale or emerald green with black heads and their body tapers at both ends. They are quite small, measuring up to 0.4” (1 cm), and have small white dots on their body.
Of the five pairs of prolegs, one protrudes from the posterior end, forming a distinctive “V”. These caterpillars are quite active, and when disturbed, may wriggle violently, move backward, and spin a strand of silk from which to dangle.
In its first instar, the diamondback moth caterpillar is a type of leaf miner that lives inside leaves, feeding on leaf tissue. After emerging from leaves, they munch through the underside of leaves. This feeding habit means that small green diamondback moth caterpillar damages cabbages, broccoli, and cauliflowers can go undetected for some time.
Crowned Slug Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Limacodidae
- Genus: Isa
- Species: Isa textula
The crowned slug caterpillar is found in North America from Minnesota, southern Ontario and Massachusetts to Florida, Texas, and Mississippi.
It looks like a flattened leaf, with its almost spherical green shape. It has stinging spines sticking out from the sides of the body, which are more colorful at the head end and can be a deep red rusty color. These contain the poison. They gradually fade to white or beige at the tail end.
The crowned slug caterpillar is mostly flat, but has a raised ridge in the middle and yellow lines running up the green body. It is also covered in yellow and red spots.
These caterpillars feed on the leaves of various trees, including oak, cherry, maple, basswood, elm and beech.
Oak Slug Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Limacodidae
- Genus: Euclea
- Species: Euclea delphinii
The oak slug caterpillar, also known as the spiny oak slug moth caterpillar, can be found in most eastern states in the US up to the northern areas of Ontario, Canada. It is characterized by a light green, yellow, reddish or orange body, which is covered in thick branching horn-like structures with tiny short spines on them, resembling holly trees.
This caterpillar can cause mild allergies. It is usually seen twice a year in warmer areas and only once a year on spring in colder ones. It feeds on oak leaves exclusively.
Fall Webworm Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Erebidae
- Genus: Hyphantria
- Species: Hyphantria cunea
The fall webworm caterpillar is native to North America, ranging from Canada to Mexico and has been introduced into other continents. These caterpillars are highly variable in coloration, ranging from a pale yellow to dark grey, with yellow spots and long and short bristles. They reach a maximum length of 35mm and there are two cream stripes along their sides.
These caterpillars eat walnut, cherry, crabapple and other deciduous trees .
Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Papilionidae
- Genus: Papilio
- Species: Papilio troilus
The spicebush swallowtail caterpillar is found in the eastern US and southern Ontario, but occasionally strays as far as the American Midwest, Cuba, Manitoba and Colorado. They are greenish yellow in color and have bands of bluish-green dots around their segments. Their heads have eye-like black and white markings, giving the spicebush swallowtail caterpillar the appearance of a comical snake. They also have false eyespots on their head that offer protection from predators. These have a black pupil on a yellowish oval circle and a white “reflection” spot.
These caterpillars can grow between 2.5” and 3.8” (6 to 9.5 cm) long and they have a relatively plump body. If threatened, the spicebush caterpillar will rear up and emit a foul-smelling odor to ward off birds and other insects.
Tobacco Hornworm Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Sphingidae
- Genus: Manduca
- Species: Manduca sexta
The tobacco hornworm caterpillar is found through much of the Americas. It is closely related to and often confused with the very similar tomato hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata). These caterpillars are large, and have diagonal white stripes with black dots, a row of black and yellow dots along the side, and a horn at their rear that can be green, orange or brown.
They are slightly smaller than the tomato hornworm caterpillar, measuring up to 2.7” (7 cm). They can be distinguished from the tomato hornworm caterpillar by their lateral markings: Tomato hornworms have eight V-shaped white markings with no borders; tobacco hornworms have seven white diagonal lines with a black border.
As their name suggests, these caterpillars feed mainly on tobacco plants, but will also feed on tomato plants.
Cross-Striped Cabbage Worm
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Crambidae
- Genus: Evergestis
- Species: Evergestis rimosalis
The cross-striped cabbage worm can be found in most of the eastern United States. They are fairly small, growing between 0.4” and 0.6” (1 – 1.5 cm) long. These caterpillars are striped and have a yellow band, dark green dots, zebra-like markings, fine hairs, and a round brown head. It is one of the most colorful of the green caterpillars. The green coloring tends to darken to deep blue or black as the caterpillar gets older.
They feed on various Brassicaceae species, including cabbage, collard greens and Brussels sprouts.
Rosy Maple Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Saturniidae
- Genus: Dryocampa
- Species: Dryocampa rubicunda
The rosy maple caterpillar, also known as the green-striped mapleworm, is found across the eastern United States and adjacent regions of Canada. This caterpillar is bright green and striped, with a brown head, bands of black dots, and a pair of black antennae. It usually measures up to 2” (5 cm) long.
They primarily eat the underside of leaves, therefore preferentially staying in that location of their home tree.
Dragon-Headed Caterpillar
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Charaxes
- Genus: Polyura
- Species: Polyura athamas
The dragon-headed caterpillar is found in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Tibet, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, Laos, Cambodia, Taiwan, Brunei, Kalimantan, the Philippines, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Java, Lombok and Timor. As its name suggests, its appearance resembles a dragon, with four scary-looking horns protruding from its head.
Its long and dark green in color, with whiteish-yellow stripes and small white spots. When looking at this caterpillar from above, you will see the markings are in the shape of a V. It has four pairs of prolegs, each with a white marking. Despite its menacing appearance, it is actually harmless.
This green caterpillar feeds on leguminous plants.
Green Caterpillars FAQs
Where do green caterpillars live?
Green caterpillars live all over the world. They can be found in almost every country, and reside in places where there is a lot of leafy greens for them to eat!
Why are green caterpillars green?
Caterpillars are green to help camouflage them against their surroundings. This is why you might be able to see the damage that caterpillars are doing to your plants, but not be able to actually see the animals! Some species also have special markings that make them look threatening to prey.
Are green caterpillars poisonous?
The answer to this is no. While there are some poisonous caterpillars, most of them are not. Many caterpillars look quite threatening, or have horns or spikes that look like they could do some serious damage. However, most of these caterpillars, even though they look this way, are actually unable to harm you.
Some caterpillars ingest toxic substances from plants to give them a bitter taste to any animals that might eat them, but this isn’t a problem to humans!
What do green caterpillars eat?
Green caterpillars can eat a variety of different foods. Many like to feed on vegetables you may have in your garden, such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts and kale. Some also feed on leaves of fruit trees, or even leaves of larger trees such as oak trees. Unfortunately, because green caterpillars need to eat so much before they have the strength and energy to turn into butterflies and moths, they can do real damage to gardens!