Giant caterpillar
![Giant caterpillar](/images/forum/2016/09/small/773648d6643116a5816bcb9b811b65b78581bb8c.jpg)
Found this giant thing in my yard. I have not been able to identify it. It is about 3 1/2 inches long. Any thoughts?
Looks like Eacles Imperialis
http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20p?see=I_NAT2006&res=640&guide=Caterpillars&name=Eacles+imperialis
http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?search=Eacles+imperialis
(Roy was right, they actually are colloquially known as Mothra...)
I hope you washed your hands carefully and thoroughly after handling it with warm soapy water. Some types of caterpillar hair can have nasty side effects, especially if you rub your eyes afterwards. Good thing it's not one of the stinging ones or you'd have a nasty rash.
Looks as though that will be quite a large moth in the end. Mothra indeed.
It is an emperial moth caterpillar. They are out now looking for a place to hibernate/ pupate over the winter, they burrow in soft soil. You should let it go tomorrow when it is warm out so it can do its thing otherwise it won't survive. :-)
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