Comments for
yellowish orange caterpillar (Virginia Creeper Sphinx caterpillar)

Click here to add your own comments

Virginia Creeper Sphinx caterpillar
by: Moni

David
Your caterpillar is a Virginia Creeper Sphinx. You are correct that it is in the hornworm family (Sphingidae). The moth also goes by the name Hog sphinx...what an uncolorful name for such a beautiful moth!
These are found in eastern thru central North America - from Nov Scotia to Manitoba then south to FL, west to NM. They live in wooded areas.
The moths fly at night feeding on nectar and are attracted to lights.
The caterpillars feed on grapes, Ampelopsis spp (peppervine, porcelain vine), Virginia creeper and Viburnums. There are 1-2 generations in the north and 2 or more in the southern states.
The brownish color of your caterpillar indicates that it is in the 5th instar or stage of development...it was heading to find a place to pupate in the soil.
Here are photos of moths and other stages of the caterpillar - http://bugguide.net/node/view/3568/bgimage?from=72

Here is another site with great photos and lifecycle info on this insect - http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/dmyron.htm

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Insect Identification

Return to yellowish orange caterpillar (Virginia Creeper Sphinx caterpillar)




All of Doug's Ebooks Can Be Found Here





Subscribe


Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner



Subscribe in a reader




Subscribe in a reader

E-Mail Updates


Enter Email Address Here:

Delivered by FeedBurner



Videos

Watch Videos


Loading...

.