This was last week when I was out at a local lake early in the morning. After the fog had lifted from the lake I wandered up around the flower beds and walking trails. Not necessarily to shoot flowers even though I did a few.I'm learning to just stop and spend some time looking closely at detail in things. It's amazing what you can see when you just stop and look.
I'm not sure exactly what this fella is, if anyone knows I would be interested.
I have no idea, but I like the picture. I like animals in their own environment, just like this one. And you're right about stopping and just look for a while. You will see much more then you expect.
Well done.
Brad, the horn at the end puts it in the hornworm caterpillar group, which transforms into sphinx moths and clearwing moths. I would think that those colorful and distinctive markings would make it easy to i.d. but it is not in the "Caterpillars of Eastern North America" which covers 700 species. Given that you are in KS, possibly it is a western species of hornworm. I haven't seen a western guide book available. Know any entomologists?
Another thought, maybe we should give it the scientific name of Sphinx mangas
Best,
Don
UPDATE: I checked in the Arkansas Butterflies and Moths book and found the lime green color variation which you have. The caterpillar develops into a White-lined Sphinx, Hyles lineata. The larva is variable with lime green, yellow, or black markings. It is in the first book I mentioned but the photo shows the dark phase, which looks totally different. I guess we won't be naming it after you afterall.
That is how I justify my addiction to buying books: I need to continually add to my reference collection so I can figure out critters like these, plants included.
Discussion
6 repliesI'm not sure exactly what this fella is, if anyone knows I would be interested.
Brad
I have no idea, but I like the picture. I like animals in their own environment, just like this one. And you're right about stopping and just look for a while. You will see much more then you expect.
Well done.
Another thought, maybe we should give it the scientific name of Sphinx mangas
Best,
Don
UPDATE: I checked in the Arkansas Butterflies and Moths book and found the lime green color variation which you have. The caterpillar develops into a White-lined Sphinx, Hyles lineata. The larva is variable with lime green, yellow, or black markings. It is in the first book I mentioned but the photo shows the dark phase, which looks totally different. I guess we won't be naming it after you afterall.
That is how I justify my addiction to buying books: I need to continually add to my reference collection so I can figure out critters like these, plants included.
Great shot.
Looks like a pretty good match to me. You should consider donating your image to the Bug Guide.
Jason, thanks for the link, I'll make good use of it. I think I will see if I can donate the image to the bug guide. Thanks again.
Brad