Found on my Salvia... I checked through a few ID websites, but did not see this specific cat. He has a large black spot on his head... Perhaps his coloring indicates his stage in his larvae-hood? (Or perhaps I just need to take a better photo!)
Julie
A clearer photo:
Hermit sphinx moth
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/Files/Live/Species/7000/7796.shtml
Thank you so much Ceejaytown - this one really gave me a run for my money, trying to identify it-
So nice to have such sharp people watching out for us here :)
The sites indicate that this caterpillar will go beneath the soil for the Winter... I assume that means it will morph into a moth next year?
After that day, there has been no sign of this caterpillar. Perhaps he is already nesting in for the season~
The pupa case is brown, with a hook at the end that connects back with the main body - kind of like a pendant that you string a chain through and hang from your neck, and you'll usually find them in leaf litter or underground near the surface. Once they reach a certain size, they go down to the ground and start their metamorphosis process. To me, this process represents a true miracle. Come spring and warmer temps, the pupa case will split at predetermined areas, and the moth will emerge. If all goes well...
It really is exciting - I have some Monarchs that I have been able to watch emerge from their chrysalis. (chrysali?)
Thank you for your help - I will be walking very softly in my garden until next Spring!
Cool, I don't recall ever seeing one of those. Interesting.
Andy P
Found a photo of the hermit sphinx pupa - the loop may be closed on this pupa - can't tell for sure. (some species are)http://bugguide.net/node/view/40917
This is the loop I was referring to and is common in many sphinx species:
http://www.origins.tv/MothPhotographersGroup/Files/Live/JS/JS7776c.jpg (Five spotted)
I'm sure you've probably seen them and just didn't know what they were.
CJ, I've seen the regular pupa but I don't remember one with a loop tail. I don't pay much attention, though. I simply leave them alone to let Nature do it's thing.
Andy P
