Orange Park Garden Club
What kind of caterpillar is this from my garden?
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 …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
Attention subscribers
To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account and connect your subscription to it by clicking here.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continueDon't have an ID?Print subscribersIf you're a print subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one. Non-subscribersClick here to see your options for subscribing. Single day passYou also have the option of purchasing 24 hours of access, for $1.00. Click here to purchase a single day pass. |
Orange Park Garden Club
What kind of caterpillar is this from my garden?
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.
get social