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.

Caterpillars
My name is Jessica Mangus. I am attaching some pictures of some very interesting caterpillars we found in our morning glories. As you can see, they are quite large (4″ to 5″ long) and very oddly colored. The horn you see is on the back end. I have attempted to find them on several web sites and have had no luck. They are completely destroying my morning glories, but, before exterminating them, I wanted to know what they are. It may be better to relocate them, or possibly even sacrifice my flowers. If you can be of any assistance, please contact me as soon as possible. Thank you.
Jessica Mangus
Odessa, Texas

Hi Jessica,
Your caterpillars with metamorphose into the lovely Pink Spotted Hawkmoth, Agrius cingulatus. This is the brown form of the caterpillar. More information can be found on Bill Oehlke’s excellent website.

Large strange caterpillar
Hi there
I live in the South of England, 30 miles south of London and found this lone caterpillar (pivc attached) climbing our south facing outside house wall. Never seen anything like it before. Any ideas please and suggested action(s). At present we have placed it in a plastic bag with a cabbage leave!
Kind regards
Ian

Hi Ian,
We are not really sure what sort of action you wish to pursue. The Elephant Hawkmoth Caterpillar, Deilephila elpenor, presents no threat to you, and it will not eat cabbage. Just because we humans find cabbage to be so very toothsome does not mean vegetarians worldwide share our fondness for the leafy vegetable. The Elephant Hawkmoth prefers to feed on willowherb and bedstraw. It is most likely the caterpillar is preparing to pupate which is why you found it near the ground. The common name referring to elephant comes from the caterpillar which has a trunk-like snout.