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We were out visiting my parents last weekend in Central Pennsylvania and around dusk came across this insect. He seemed to be injured and was having problems moving around. He looked like an odd cross between a caterpillar, a grasshopper, and a butterfly. Looking through the other bugs posted on your site, we think it might be some sort of Sphinx, but it didn’t appear quite right. I took a bunch of pictures but these three turned out the best. Any help you can provide in identifying this bug would be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Bill Blankmeyer

Hi Bill,
This is a newly metamorphosed Manduca sexta, the Tomato Hornworm or Tobacco Sphinx. Soon its wings will be strong enough for flight, and they are very powerful fliers.

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