Very abundant inch worm in Kasane, Botswana
Location: Kasane, Botswana
January 14, 2011 4:58 pm
I have seen this inch worm several times around my home in Kasane, Botswana. Right now it is the rainy season and is the only time I have seen this worm. It is very colorful and has almost feather like spikes. I did handle it and it was not poisonous. Do you know what this bug is or what it will become. It is very beautiful.
Signature: Laura Marchitto Massie
Unknown Caterpillar
Dear Laura,
We are not entirely convinced that this is an Inchworm, a name along with Spanworm given to the caterpillars of moths in the family Geometridae because of the way that they crawl. According to Bugguide: “larvae generally have only two pairs of prolegs (at the hind end) rather than the usual five pairs in most lepidoptera; the lack of prolegs in the middle of the body necessitates the peculiar method of locomtion, drawing the hind end up to the thoracic legs to form a loop, and then extending the body forward.“ The caterpillar in your photo has three pairs of prolegs, which is fewer than the five possessed by most caterpillars, hence its method of locomotion. BugGuide only indicates that “larvae generally have only two pairs of prolegs” which might mean that some individuals have three pairs. Your caterpillar also reminds us of that of the North American Funerary Dagger Moth which is depicted on BugGuide. We will attempt to get you a species identification, and until we determine otherwise, we will archive your letter with the Inchworms. Perhaps we can enlist assistance from our readership towards a conclusive identification of this interesting caterpillar.
Unknown Caterpillar
Green and Yellow Caterpillar
Location: Kasane, Botswana
January 14, 2011 5:05 pm
This is rainy season in Kasane, Botswana and I saw this beautiful green and yellow striped caterpillar with a spike on his back end. Can you please let me know if it is poinsonous and what it will become? Thank you.
Signature: Laura Marchitto Massie
Death's Head Hawkmoth Caterpillar
Dear Laura,
This is a Sphinx Moth or Hawkmoth Caterpillar, known as a Hornworm. We believe it is an early instar of the Death’s Head Hawkmoth, Acherontia atropos, based on a photo on the Sphingidae of the Western Palaearctic website. As the caterpillar molts through successive instars, the horn becomes proportionally smaller.
ID
Location: Colombia
January 8, 2011 6:01 pm
I found this strange ”bug” and was wondering what it is. My guess is a catapiller. I am in the Eastern Cordillera of Colombian Andes.
Scale in cm.
Signature: Scott Parks
Monkey Slug
Hi Scott,
This is a Monkey Slug, Phobetron pithecium, and you are correct that it is a caterpillar.
Strange Panamanian Catepillar
Location: Ancon, Panama City, Panama
January 9, 2011 10:33 am
So I found this large caterpillar just outside of Panama City, Panama and have no idea what it is. I was hoping you could help me. It has a red head, jet black body with yellow-white stripes, and orange legs and rear with a black spine. It was almost 6 inches long too, definitely the longest caterpillar I have ever seen!
Signature: Thanks, Dennis
Tetrio Sphinx Caterpillar
Dear Dennis,
The caterpillar of the Tetrio Sphinx, Pseudosphinx tetrio, is quite distinctive. You can read about the Tetrio Sphinx on the Sphingidae of the Americas website.
Large Catterpillar
Location: Algarve Portugal
January 2, 2011 12:41 pm
Probably the largest catterpillar i’ve seen. I would say about 4.5ins. More flourescent green in real life than appears on the photos.
Could you help indentify it for me.
There are more photos if required.
Signature: Eduardo
Death's Head Hawkmoth Caterpillar
Hi Eduardo,
This is the caterpillar of a Death’s Head Hawkmoth, Acherontia atropos. In August we posted a photo and letter from Portugal regarding a Death’s Head Hawkmoth Caterpillar and you may also read about it on the UK Moths website.
Identify caterpillar
Location: Southern Saskatchewan, Canada (Estevan)
January 2, 2011 7:26 am
Hi
If you could identify this caterpillar found in southern Saskatchewan, Canada in the Fall that would be wonderful.
Signature: Karen
Achemon Sphinx Caterpillar
Hi Karen,
We believe this is an Achemon Sphinx Caterpillar, and it appears that it may have left its food plant and begun to hunt for a likely spot to dig into the earth and pupate. The Sphingidae of the Americas website indicates that there are no reported sightings of the Achemon Sphinx in Saskatchewan, though it is suspected to range in the region. Because of that, we are copying Bill Oehlke on this reply and he may request permission to use your photograph as well as to include your sighting data so he can update the status of the Achemon Sphinx in Saskatchewan. You can read about the Achemon Sphinx on the Sphingidae of the Americas website.
Hi Daniel,
Yes, that one is Eumorpha achemon. Thanks for referral.
Bill Oehlke
Please help me identify this
Location: Gladstone, Queensland, Australia
December 2, 2010 1:57 am
Please can you help me id this catapillar. It was found in Central coastal Queensland Australia just today, beginning of summer.
Thank you for your help.
Signature: Regards, Kylie
Impatiens Hawkmoth Caterpillar
Dear Kylie,
Even though we didn’t answer your letter immediately, once we saw this caterpillar, we quickly identified it as an Impatiens Hawkmoth Caterpillar, on the Australian Caterpillars website.
Giant caterpillar in southwest Florida
Location: Corkscrew Swamp in Southwest Florida
December 30, 2010 2:50 pm
Hey…
I found this caterpillar in Corkscrew swamp near Naples, FL. It was late November and the caterpillar was in a tree about ten feet off the ground. It was about 5 to 6 inches long. I thought it was a branch but then it started moving. Im not sure what type of tree was feeding in. Is this some type of giant sphinx caterpillar? I’ve looked all over for his ID but cant find anything. This is probably the largest caterpillar I have ever seen.
(PS i got your book for Christmas and love it!)
Signature: Sammy
Possibly Obscure Sphinx Caterpillar
Hi Sammy,
It is difficult to be certain, but we suspect this may be an Obscure Sphinx Caterpillar, Erinnyis obscura, based on a photo posted to the Sphingidae of the Americas website. Knowing the food plant is often a big help in caterpillar identification. We will try to check with Bill Oehlke to see if he agrees with our tentative identification.
Possibly Obscure Sphinx Caterpillar
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