Hawkmoth Caterpillar
Location: Ithaca, NY
August 2, 2011 1:24 pm
Dear Bugman,
I’m not familiar with American species as I’m visiting from Europe. I went for a walk along the Lab of Ornithology’s lake, and while trying to find a robin nest I saw a couple of weeks ago, I discovered this large caterpillar. It was too far away for me to get closer, but according to the picture it has a dark backside. I do love identifying what I see, but I’m a bit overwhelmed with the multitude of species you have here.
Signature: a curious illustrator
Dear Curious Illustrator,
Though your caterpillar is partially obscured, we are confident that it is a Virginia Creeper Caterpillar in its brown form. Though green is a more common color, you can see by comparing your photo to this example on BugGuide, that we have identified your caterpillar. The best place to research New World Sphinx Moths and their caterpillars is the Sphingidae of the Americas website.