Banded Sphinx Caterpillar

Caterpillar ID
Location:  Near Tampa, FL
October 17, 2010 3:35 am
Found this caterpillar hanging out on an orange tree about 50 miles to the east of Tampa, FL in mid Octorber. Suspect it’s some kind of Sphinx moth.
Signature:  Larry

Banded Sphinx Caterpillar

Hi Larry,
You encountered the caterpillar of the Banded Sphinx, Eumorpha fasciatus, which you may read about on the Sphingidae of the Americas website, which does not list citrus as a food plant.  The Banded Sphinx has considerably variation in the color and markings of the caterpillar, and the color morph that is represented by your specimen is probably the most beautiful.

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