Subject: Unusual caterpillar
Geographic location of the bug: Whangarei Heads, Northland, New Zealand
Date: 01/05/2019
Time: 03:35 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: We found this unusual caterpillar lying in the full sun on a walking track in about 27 degree heat. It appeared dead so tried flipping it over to help identify what it was and it objected by vigorously flipping itself back over not giving us a chance to see its underside. We decided to move it off the path and it curled itself onto a twig so that we could move it without touching it which enabled us to see its set of stumpy legs. We have never seen such a large caterpillar previously.
How you want your letter signed: Phil
Hornworm
Dear Phil,
This is a Hornworm, the larva of a Hawkmoth in the family Sphingidae. The common name Hornworm refers to the prominent caudal horn that most members of the family possess. Hornworms are harmless to people. We will attempt a species identification for you.
Update: Thanks to Bostjan Dvorak, we are please to provide a Convolvulus Hawkmoth which is pictured on T.E.R.R.A.I.N.
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Very nice and interesting record of a pupating Agrius convolvuli (Convolvulus hawk-moth) larva!
Great wishes for a happy and healthy year – full of moths and caterpillars!
Bostjan
Thanks Bostjan.
We will update the posting.
Happy New Year to you as well.