Subject: First time I have ever seen this
Location: Ashton, ID.
September 25, 2014 11:39 am
Hi, Stepped outside and almost stepped on this caterpillar? Since I have never seen this type before, just wondering what it could be. It is 3″ to 3.5″ long. It is Fall here with record high temps. Tomorrow we are headed downhill as far as temperatures and rain go. We are at about 5400 feet above sea level, just outside of Yellowstone.
Signature: Maggie
Dear Maggie,
This striking caterpillar is a Gallium Sphinx Caterpillar or Bedstraw Hawkmoth Caterpillar, Hyles gallii, and you may read more about it on the Sphingidae of the Americas website.