Hi, what type of caterpillar is this?
Hi, I live in Brooklyn, NY and found this around my front lawn. It was quite hefty – probably 3-4 inches, with a beautiful color. What is it? Thanks,
Mark
(GREAT website, by the way)

Hi Mark,
This is a Sphinx Moth Caterpillar, and we suspect it might be a Great Ash Sphinx or Northern Ash Sphinx, Sphinx chersis. There are several different color variations. Was this really found in January?

Hi, thanks for your quick response. Sorry for misleading you. The photo was probably taken in late spring or early summer, judging by the pictures of full blooming hydrangeas in my yard that I believe were taken at the same time, especially since the leaves in the picture with the caterpillar were from the hydrangea bush. I had it on my computer for a while, I just stumbled on your website and didn’t see it there -though from the similar ones, I guessed it was some sort of Sphinx moth. Anyway, thanks again!

Ed. Note:
August 30, 2009
In making some classification changes to our archives, we decided to follow up on the hydrangea leaf, and now we believe this is the caterpillar of the Hydrangea Sphinx, Darapsa versicolor.  Bill Oehlke’s website indicates:  “and the ‘horn’ on the tail also turns downward as pupation draws near.“ This individual appears to have a downward turned horn.

What am I?
This lovely critter was found on our bushes we were trimming in Rowlett TX. What is it? Any idea? Thanks for your info.
Suzanne

Hi Suzanne,
We believe this is a Rustic Sphinx Caterpillar, Manduca rustica.

Rustic Sphix caterpillar?
I live in Queen Creek Arizona. This morning my 2.5 year old son was looking out the front window and telling me he saw a millipede outside (we found a small one in the house one time and since then he’s wanted to see one again). We went outside and found not a millipede but THE BIGGEST CATERPILLAR I HAVE EVER SEEN! It was a little cool out this morning and the caterpillar was laying on the even cooler cement and not moving much, there was also some “moisture” coming from its mouth region. I assumed it wasn’t doing so well. My son wanted to look at it some more so I put it in a plastic box and took it inside. The caterpillar perked right up…I’m assuming because it was warmer in the house. I was interested to know what this caterpillar was so I got on the internet and did some research (that is actually how I found your website a few months ago when I was trying to figure what type of spider I was seeing all over my house. I love your website!) I think I have narrowed this caterpillar down to some kind of “sphix” caterpillar and I think it is a rustic sphix. Am I right? Please let me know.
Steph

Hi Steph,
We agree with your Rustic Sphinx Caterpillar identification. Just before pupation, many caterpillars turn pink, orange or brown. Also, before pupation, those that burrow in the ground leave the food plant and become more visible. This is often in the autumn. Give your caterpillar some loose soil and it will burrow and pupate.

Some type of sphinx moth caterpillar?
Ridgecrest, CA (Mojave Desert), found exactly as pictured, today, in graveled area next to house. It doesn’t fit the White-Lined Sphinx Moth, which I know we have in the area. About 3.5 in long, 0.5 in diameter. I perused a couple of pages on your site and did not find any match, especially that central eye-like marking. Thanks,
Jean

Hi Jean,
This is an Achemon Sphinx Caterpillar, Eumorpha achemon. The caterpillars feed on grape leaves, Virginia creeper and other vines.

Ed. Note:
August 30, 2009
While subclassifying our caterpillar archive, we realize we did not link to Bill Oehlke’s page on the Achemon Sphinx, nor mention the unusual coloration of this specimen.  This species usually has a brown, orange or green caterpillar, and this pink specimen is a bit unusual.

Hope your not too busy
Dear Bugman,
I have browsed your wonderful pictures and now know where to look when friends have an insect id they want me to do. I also am known by friends and family as “The Bugman” as I have had an interest in insects since birth. It has been great to see some of the interesting ones I haven’t seen yet on your site. This brings me to my querie. I was recently in my backyard observing a wasp chew up a caterpillar it had paralyzed. It was a caterpillar I had not seen before. I walked closer to the honeysuckle bush (or close relative) that it had been munching on and began to see many others materialize. The largest where 2 inches long and I photographed both color phases that I noticed. I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma and dear fellow colleagues, if you have the time, I would appreciate your assistance. I have a landscape business and if there are some insects you have an interest in photographing out this way let me know I will do my best to send some your way. They are still currently munching away in mid October. Many thanks,
Craig aka The Bugman

Hi Craig,
Thank you for sending your wonderful photos of Snowberry Clearwing Caterpillars, Hemaris diffinis. The adult moth is sometimes called a Bumblebee Moth and the moths are often confused with hummingbirds. Bill Oehlke’s site lists honeysuckle as a food plant.

Plebeian Sphinx Moth Caterpillar
Since I don’t see these caterpillars in your database, I thought I would send you several so you have a choice which to use, if you want them.
This is a plebeian moth caterpillar that I found in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on trumpet creeper (campsis radicans). The interesting thing is that the caterpillar is prettier than the moth. I love the blue “horn” on it, and the startling lemon-green color of the moth’s upperside. Please feel free to use or discard if you wish.
Susan Johnston

Hi Susan,
We are going to trust that you have properly identified the Plebian Sphinx Caterpillar, Paratraea plebeja, because we doubt we would have said anymore than a generic Sphinx Caterpillar based on the photo. We didn’t locate much information online, but we did find this site.

Ed. Note:
August 30, 2009
In making some classification changes to our caterpillar archives, we realized we did not link to Bill Oehlke’s page on the Plebian Sphinx, Paratrea plebeja.