ORANGE PARK – This caterpillar is a Virginia Creeper Sphinx – a moth caterpillar. The common name is Hog Sphinx.
Did you know that most sphinx moth caterpillars pupate in the soil? This …
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ORANGE PARK – This caterpillar is a Virginia Creeper Sphinx – a moth caterpillar. The common name is Hog Sphinx.
Did you know that most sphinx moth caterpillars pupate in the soil? This snake-like caterpillar is leaf green with a bluish green underside, streaked with white on the sides. The body is swollen a little way back from the head and the caterpillar gets its name from the resemblance to a hog's jowls and snout.
It has seven pairs of slanted lines on the side. On each side they merge into a wide line near the back. It has a pointed taillike "horn" at the end and it retains it throughout its caterpillar stage.
This caterpillar eats leaves of Virginia Creeper, grapevines and viburnums. When the caterpillar has pupated and emerged into a moth, you can find it flying in woods and brushy areas.
The moth is an important pollinator of trees and shrubs. You may see this kind of moth flying at night as it is attracted to lights outside our homes.