Very strange...can you put them in a jar and wait until they hatch and see...

they hatched today! They look like some type of catepillar? Still not sure of the species yet, any thoughts?

AH HAH! After googling some more, I figured out what these are! These are Polyphemus Moth larvae

The following link shows exactly what I have, same eggs, same larvae....beautiful moth.

CASE CLOSED =)

Here is a link that might be useful: Polyphemus Moth

I was just going to suggest you post it in the bug forum but no need now...
Lori

Interesting! I see those moths all the time in my yard. Neat!

Those are going to become beautiful moths! You are so lucky.

Well how cool is THAT? I had no idea that's what their eggs looked like, though I've seen the moths now and then. Great pics, great learning experience! Another thing to watch for in my garden!

Marcia

Neat! But now I'm wondering if those caterpillars sting like the Io moth caterpillars they sort of resemble?

OK, so apparently it does - after checking UF's Featured Creatures site I found this.....

(Polyphemus info is on the page)

Here is a link that might be useful: Featured Creatures

They only sting if you handle them. Brushing up against the bristles will cause burning. But it's not like they come out to attack you, or anything. Many caterpillars can do that as a defense mechanism, but they are nothing to worry about, most of the time.

And if you do accidentally brush up against one, a dousing with ammonia will usually do the trick.

Marcia

I'm glad you mentioned that they can sting if touched. We have about 20 of these babies in a jar chewing up Oak leaves. I probably need to get one of those large butterfly pavilions.

This is the 2nd kind of large moth I'm raising this year. During spring I found a Tomato Hornworm and raised it to an adult moth then let it go outside. It was neat watching it eat and grow, then bury itself 2-3 inches in the soil to form a gorgeous moth.