Subject: I Think It’s A Moth Caterpillar
Location: Manitoba
September 30, 2012 8:08 am
Dear Someone,
After a party when we were saying goodbye to the last guest, he found a big, fat, beige caterpillar,to me it looked like a worm but I looked in my caterpillar books ,nope I didn’t find him he has a fake eye on his but and his head comes in and out it’s nasty in so many ways. I put him in a worm farm and gave him some strawberry leaves and he hasn’t eaten…for a day. but he’s been going under the soil and sitting there its about 1cm deep. Sept.30 2012
Signature: The Sandersons
Dear Sandersons,
This is the caterpillar of an Achemon Sphinx. According to The Sphingidae of the Americas website, it is rare in Manitoba. We will contact Bill Oehlke so that he can record your sighting. The behavior you describe indicates this individual is preparing to pupate, which they do underground. Caterpillars lose interest in eating prior to metamorphosis and they search for a suitable location. Pupating underground enables the Achemon Sphinx to survive the harsh northern winters.
Seen one in las vegas last night, 9/29/12