Hyles lineata is the scientific name for the White-lined Sphinx. The adult is often mistaken for a hummingbird at the flowers. So sometimes it is called the hummingbird moth.
Indeed, this critter stood out like a bright green thumb in the brown grass! I will guess (from memory) that it was about 7 cm long (2.75″)! The tan spiracles are surrounded by black located below the pink yellow and black spots. The spiracles are respiratory openings in which air enters the trachea. All insects have spiracles. Furthermore, according to Wikipedia, even some spiders have spiracles like the orbweaver and wolf spiders.
So I doubt the critter was happy about us messing with it. However, it was not that bad. It did not vomit the green slime like they do sometimes.
Jeanne held it for me to get the closer look! Here you can see the spiracles better.
The spiracle sorta reminds me of lips smiling. LOL
Like all Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths), there are six eyes called ocelli (plural). You can see five of the brownish ocelli in this photo.
Like all larvae in Lepidoptera, they have legs and prolegs. The prolegs are an important feature to count when trying to ID a larva. In this case, this cat has five pairs of prolegs seen from the middle to the rear holding on the twig. The rear proleg is hard to see in this photo.
Of course you know that insects have six legs which are near the head end. Cute, eh!
A close up of the cat clinging with its legs.
Next a view of two pairs of the prolegs.
A characteristic you should watch for on a larvae are the crochets. . What are the crochets? These are the little hair-like structures, in this case brown at the end of the “feet”. The arrangement can sometimes be helpful for an ID. In some instances you can have two rows or perhaps different lengths of crochet hairs.
A better close up of the rear proleg! In addition, in this photo note the anal plate is speckled as is the head. These are always green or orange speckled in the White-lined Sphinx larva. Also the horn will be yellow, orange, or perhaps black tipped or mostly black. The overall color of this species varies greatly from black to a green.
So ending with the end, this is the final part to the outing to Montague County on October 17th!
Indeed, a wonderful rain (.61″ here)! And some strong winds blew through at our house today! Yikes! However, no other damage. Yeah!
That does not surprise me. My sister-in-law had them on hers too. It has a wide variety of plants including many in the Onagraceae (Evening Primrose Family) and Rose family. I often find larvae feeds on Lizardtail at my house.
This particular cat was found crawling in the grass. So it was probably getting ready to pupate. They bury themselves in the ground or under organic litter.
There is a good chance that Gretchen’s was a Carolina Sphinx or Pink-spotted Hawkmoth since they are common on Datura. And the White-lined Sphinx cat has multiple colorations, to add to our confusion.
Those photos are amazing Mary.
We were in Denton during the storms this morning, packing up to leave. Then drove in it for several hours. Bone dry at home though. But I am racing to type this because we have lightning storm and might lose power any moment.
We have many white-lined sphinx cats and adults around our house every year. I do usually see the cats on our pink evening primrose. Never tire of watching them. Thanks for sharing these wonderfully detailed photos.
I believe I found one of these cats on my datura. It stripped the plant overnight. I wondered what plant you found this one on.
That does not surprise me. My sister-in-law had them on hers too. It has a wide variety of plants including many in the Onagraceae (Evening Primrose Family) and Rose family. I often find larvae feeds on Lizardtail at my house.
This particular cat was found crawling in the grass. So it was probably getting ready to pupate. They bury themselves in the ground or under organic litter.
Gretchen, Thanks for sharing!
There is a good chance that Gretchen’s was a Carolina Sphinx or Pink-spotted Hawkmoth since they are common on Datura. And the White-lined Sphinx cat has multiple colorations, to add to our confusion.
Those photos are amazing Mary.
We were in Denton during the storms this morning, packing up to leave. Then drove in it for several hours. Bone dry at home though. But I am racing to type this because we have lightning storm and might lose power any moment.
Kathy, I had forgot about the moths you mentioned. I bet you are right the cat being one of those. I hope you got some rain too?
Gretchen, it is easy to mistake those green hornworm (caterpillars) to species.
Beautiful cat. Love the spider house and their intelligence isn’t surprising. Thanks
Pretty cute too 🙂
Great details!!
Thanks to Jeanne for holding the cat!
We have many white-lined sphinx cats and adults around our house every year. I do usually see the cats on our pink evening primrose. Never tire of watching them. Thanks for sharing these wonderfully detailed photos.
For sure wonderful and amazing animals, no matter their stage in the life cycle. Thanks!