One of the Sphinx moths? From the diagonal stripes ... Great Ash Sphinx ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphinx_chersis ???

Rare in the Gulf states but not unknown.

http://www.animallifeforms.com/605020557801649/Moths_-_Hawk_Or_Sphinx_Moth_-_Great_Ash_Sphinx_Sphinx_chersis__9649.aspx

or WILD CHERRY SPHINX Sphinx drupiferarum

http://www.eeb.uconn.edu/people/dwagner/08CatEUSApp244-73.pdf

Congratulations! I'm sure they're polyphemus moth caterpillars, even though they're not eating oak leaves, their most commonly used host plant. I don't see a horn on them, also don't see a horizontal yellow line. If they had that line, they'd be luna moth cats.

I found a polyphemus cocoon this spring on a magnolia leaf. The cocoon on the right is a luna moth cocoon, and the one on the left is the polyphemus cocoon -

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It emerged, and turned out to be a female. Unfortunately, the picture I got of her isn't very good -

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You can look up polyphemus moth to see what their wings look like, topside.

Sherry

Thanks Sherry, I'll be bringing those in then and hope they are Polyphemus Moths. They are really neat looking moths. Do I need anything in the bottom of the cage for them to burrow into?

No, Rick, they spin their cocoons on leaves or stems, usually - they don't go underground.

I've linked a web site about the polyphemus moth life cycle.

Sherry

Here is a link that might be useful: Polyphemus Moth Life Cycle

One came out today and Sherry was right, awesome moth.

Beautiful!

They are beautiful! Chubby!
K

Wow, those pics are awesome and what beautiful moths. You guys are so lucky!

A beautiful caterpillar photo.