Subject: What kind of caterpillar/butterfly is this guy
Geographic location of the bug: Plainfield IL
Date: 07/29/2018
Time: 12:15 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: Please help us identify this guy whom gave us a bit of fright and left us questioning….what are you looking at!?
How you want your letter signed: Baffled IL Family
Dear Baffled IL Family,
This is the Caterpillar of a Tersa Sphinx Moth, and its false eyespots are very effective at scaring potential predators. According to Sphingidae of the Americas: “Larvae also feed on Borreria, Catalpa and Manettia spp. and Smooth buttonplant (Spermacoce glabra) and starclusters (Pentas species). They are also recorded on joe-pie weed and Hamelia patens.” Many gardeners grow Pentas in the garden.
Wow! Quick response time. Thank you so much. Enjoy your day!