Hickory Horned Devil

Natural Habitat

Deciduous forests and woodlands in the eastern United States

Diet & Feeding

Leaves of hickory, walnut, sweetgum, persimmon, and sumac trees

Behavior Patterns

Late-stage larvae are known for their formidable appearance and large size. They burrow into the ground to pupate in the late summer and emerge the following year as the Regal Moth.

Risks & Benefits

Harmless to humans; despite their fierce appearance, they do not sting or bite. Historically, they provide ecosystem benefits as a food source for birds and small mammals and eventually become large pollinators as moths.

Identified on: 5/6/2026