Subject: Caterpillars
Location: Olathe, ks
September 25, 2013 7:05 pm
Hello, my 5 yr old son and I have been finding different caterpillars all over our new farm property in olathe, Kansas. We have been able to identify most but this one. He has one eye, we think the other was lost on a branch possibly or born w/o? He’s a brownish orange color and he would be so excited if you could tell us what kind of new friend we have! We took lots of pictures to show you. Thanks so much!!!
Alicia & Regan
Signature: Regan and mommy
Dear Regan and Alicia,
This is the caterpillar of a Pandorus Sphinx, a lovely green moth. The “eye” might actually be the caudal bump that remains when the caudal horn typical of most Sphingidae caterpillars is lost during an early molt. True to expectations it appears to be feeding on grape or some other vine.
Correction: September 2, 2017
Oops, we just noticed this incorrect identification. Based on this BugGuide this is actually an Achemon Sphinx Caterpillar, a member of the same genus as the Pandorus Sphinx.