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HornwormsWestern Tiger Swallowtail catepillar
October 27, 2009
I was wondering why the leaves of my penta plant were disappearing. Then this morning I found these “eyes” staring at me. At first I thought it was a plastic toy! What an amazing critter.
Marabelle
Sugar Land, TX
Tersa Sphinx Caterpillar
Hi Marabelle
Though it resembles a Western Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar, your critter is a Tersa Sphinx Caterpillar. The Swallowtail has one set of eyespots, while the Tersa Sphinx has numerous eyespots. The Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar does not have a caudal horn, and the Tersa Sphinx does possess a caudal horn. Sphinx Moth caterpillars are often called Hornworms. Penta is a typical food plant for the Tersa Sphinx Caterpillar.
Related Posts
- Tersa Sphinx Metamorphosis (August 3, 2005)
- Tersa Sphinx Caterpillar (July 22, 2007)
- Tersa Sphinx Caterpillars (January 7, 2009)
- Tersa Sphinx Caterpillar (August 12, 2009)
- Tersa Sphinx Caterpillar (October 31, 2009)
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