A Uptown buck moth caterpillar says it is “just looking for someone to spend a little time with” after a series of encounters with residents ended in what it described as confusion, distance, and, in most cases, immediate separation.
“I see people outside. They’re together, they’re laughing,” the caterpillar said. “I think, maybe I could be part of that.”
The caterpillar said it typically approaches slowly, often after falling from nearby oak trees, and attempts what it calls “a very normal, friendly introduction.”
“I move toward people. I make contact. That’s how you meet someone,” it said.
Witnesses confirmed the most recent incident began when a man reached for a door handle, not realizing the caterpillar had come to rest there after falling from above, resulting in what was later described as “unintentional contact.”
“I thought we were having a moment,” the caterpillar said.
The interaction ended almost immediately, with the man yelling and withdrawing his hand, a reaction the caterpillar said it has started to expect.
The caterpillar said these encounters tend to follow a similar pattern, often ending before it has a chance to figure out what went wrong.
“It’s usually very quick,” it said. “There’s a moment where I think it’s going well, and then it just… isn’t.”
The caterpillar said it has not ruled out the possibility that it may be coming on too strong, but maintains that its intentions are being misunderstood.
“I’m not trying to hurt anyone,” it said. “I just don’t want to be out here by myself all the time.”