Subject: Caterpillar
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
September 10, 2013 4:37 pm
Manitoba canada – as big and thick as my little finger. They were all over this particular plant (?)
Signature: Carroll

Hi Carroll,
Did you polish your nails to match this Leafy Spurge Hawkmoth Caterpillar, Hyles euphorbiae?  The Leafy Spurge Hawkmoth is native to northern Eurasia.  According to the Sphingidae of the Americas website:  “The leafy spurge hawk moth, Hyles euphorbiae (length: 2-3 cm, wingspan: 5-7 cm), was the first classical biological agent released against leafy spurge in the United States, with approval for introduction granted in 1965. Populations of this insect are present in several western states, including Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, Wyoming, Minnesota and Oregon, and now Washington (Spokane County; David Droppers; BAMONA). The moth was also introduced from Europe into Ontario, Canada, and then into Alberta where specimens are occasionally still taken. I recently received an image of larva (July 2003) from Neepawa, Manitoba.”  We are copying Bill Oehlke on our response and he may request permission to use your photos on his site.