“It really looked like a real-life Pokémon!”
Earlier this week in Virginia, Gloucester County Parks Ranger Monica Canepa was taking a group of summer campers on a nature walk when something on the ground stopped her in her tracks. While the children were finishing lunch near a picnic area, she noticed a strange movement in the leaves nearby.
At first, she assumed it was something ordinary, like a bird or a small reptile. Instead, she discovered an enormous caterpillar unlike anything she had ever seen before: a hickory horned devil, nearly half a foot long and covered in vivid orange horns.
Canepa was stunned by the creature’s size and appearance. After taking a moment to process what she was looking at, she realized the children in her care were about to witness something truly rare. Carefully, she lifted the caterpillar with her hat so the campers could see it up close.
Even though she had worked as a park ranger in the area for years, Canepa had never encountered one in person. The insect’s wild look made it seem almost unreal, and the kids were just as amazed as she was. She described it as something that looked like it belonged in a fantasy world, with its dramatic spikes and unusual shape sparking plenty of excitement and curiosity.
Despite its intimidating name and striking appearance, the hickory horned devil is harmless to people. Canepa made sure the children understood that while wild animals can be fascinating, they should always be observed respectfully and never handled. The group watched in awe as the caterpillar sat calmly in her hat, giving everyone a memorable close-up view.
Canepa also called over a few coworkers, and even they were surprised by the rare sight. After everyone had a chance to admire it, she gently moved the caterpillar off the trail and placed it in a safer spot among a pile of leaves where it could continue on its way undisturbed.
Before letting it go, she gave the insect a heartfelt farewell and thanked it for the unexpected moment of wonder. The encounter was brief, but unforgettable, and it may not have been the last time they crossed paths. One day, the caterpillar could return in a completely different form as a regal moth.
For Canepa and the children with her that day, the experience was a vivid reminder that local parks are full of hidden wildlife surprises. Sometimes, the most remarkable discoveries are waiting right underfoot.