Yup, the dreaded tomato hornworm is actually the larva of a sphinx moth. Habitat . Good find! Territorial Area Map (Visual Reference Guide) The map below showcases (in blue) the states and territories of North America where the Tersa Sphinx Moth may be found (but is not limited to). Tersa Sphinx Caterpillar (Xylophanes tersa) Shown eating on Pentas. Familiar examples are the five-spotted hawk moth (the tomato hornworm) and the Carolina sphinx (the tobacco hornworm). Tersa Sphinx Moth Caterpillar - Leesburg, Florida, November 6, 2016 Researching the Tersa Sphinx Moth , I learned that a host plant is the Penta. Tersa Sphinx Caterpillar on Penta just before pupating (see comment by this member) Pupa of Tersa Sphinx found in leaf litter below Penta, (see this member's comment) Newly emerged Tersa Sphinx Moth (see this member's comment) Newly emerged Tersa Sphinx Moth … Very small numbers appear in Ohio most years, but I did not think they were known to reproduce here. This video is made for general audiences. They are frequently found feeding on Penta in the garden. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1771. Tersa Sphinx Moth on my porch! Both are well known to quickly consume plant leaves when the caterpillar has grown large. Tersa Sphinx Caterpillar. Displaying 1 - 24 of 806 verified sightings. Cricula Silkmoth Caterpillar … Tersa Sphinx Caterpillar. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Xylophanes tersa, the tersa sphinx, is a moth of the family Sphingidae. Another instar (brown) of the Tersa Sphinx caterpillar. We depend on donations to keep Butterflies and Moths of North America freely available. Food Tersa Sphinx Caterpillar (Xylophanes tersa) dining on Pentas. Notorius for quickly decimating Pentas in the home garden! Our hornworm is the larval stage of the Tersa Sphinx moth, XYLOPHANES TERSA, a mostly tropical American month distributed from Argentina and Brazil north through northern South America, Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean area, and in the US from Massachusetts south to south Florida; west to Nebraska, New Mexico, and southern Arizona. Caterpillar: One large eyespot and six smaller ones progressing down the body, with a light stripe roughly bisecting the eyespots. It is close kin to the tomato hornworm caterpillar. Learn more. Tersa Sphinx Moths are hairy and angular, like a streamlined stealth fighter. Probably Tersa Sphinx Moth Larvae - Xylophanes tersa Tersa sphinx Beautiful moth Tersa Shhinx - Xylophanes tersa Tersa Sphinx Tersa Sphinx Looks like Tersa Sphinx, Xylophanes tersa Aha! Massachusetts south to south Florida; west to Nebraska, New Mexico, and southern Arizona; south through Mexico, the West Indies, and Central America to Argentina. Caterpillars for the Swallowtail Butterfly. A whitish line is positioned under the eyespots. Matching this week's garden caterpillar with a several-year-old moth photo was a treat. The Tersa Sphinx is angular and hairy, with a pointed abdomen. Different looks of the Tersa Sphinx Caterpillar depending on its stage. Hindwing upperside is dark brown with a band of whitish wedge-shaped marks. Tersa Sphinx moths are well known for their migrations, which can bring small numbers far north of the usual range. Tersa Sphinx Xylophanes tersa (Linnaeus, 1771) Family: Sphingidae. Shown here is its large bold eyespot, followed by six more smaller eyespots. The caterpillar has one large eyespot and six smaller ones progressing down the body, with a light stripe roughly bisecting the eyespots, with a black "horn" on rear end. In earlier instars, smaller eyespots are barely visible and striping more pronounced. When it flies, the wings don’t flutter like most moths, they flap to quickly propel the insect from flower to flower. Anonymous. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Texas Butterflies | About | Site Map | Contact | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy, Copyright © 2020 ButterfliesAtHome.com • All Rights Reserved. Pictured below is a typical sphinx caterpillar, the larva of the White-Lined Sphinx Moth. Streaks run down the back of the abdomen. SIZE: Adult wingspan up to 5 1/2″, caterpillar … Black "horn" on rear end. Richland County, South Carolina, United States, Charleston County, South Carolina, United States, Chesterfield County, Virginia, United States, Horry County, South Carolina, United States, Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States. Sphinx moth caterpillars vary in color and shape, depending on the species, but most have smooth skin. The upperside of the forewing is pale brown with lavender-gray at the base, with dark brown lines. The Tersa Sphinx moth is found in gardens and open areas. Adult moths have a pattern of blacks, whites, and browns across their bodies that helps them blend into the bark of trees as a form of camouflage. Nectar from flowers including honeysuckle (Lonicera). These different morphs probably aid in the survival of the species. The caterpillars for Tersa Sphinx moths have false eye spots. Click to Enlarge (opens a new window). Beautiful Butterflies Caterpillar Macro Photography Animals Beautiful Animals Beautiful Creatures Amazing Nature Arachnids Cool Insects. I actually placed that caterpillar out in my front yard, at the base of my periwinkles next to the penta. Show your support by making a financial contribution. Remember, each species has its own food preferences. Do you have any other hornworm favorites? The upperside of the Tersa Sphinx moth's forewing is pale brown with lavender-gray at the base, with dark brown lines. They look a bit like little snakes. It is easy to identify these caterpillars in the Sphingidae … Wing span of about 5-6". Tersa Sphinx Caterpillar: Pentas' leaves will grow back. Another unusual dark or nearly black caterpillar variety is the Tersa Sphinx species (Xylophanes tersa). 0 0. Some, especially the hornworms, have distinctive horns at the end of the body. In the deep south, this moth is active year-round. The upperside of the hindwing is dark brown with a band of whitish, wedge-shaped marks. Both green and brown forms are known. The Tersa Sphinx moth is found in gardens and open areas. A: I am not sure about the specific species but I believe these larvae belong to the group of sphinx moths. We want to express our gratitude to all who showed their support by making a contribution this year. Description: The moth of these caterpillars were given the name "sphinx" because of the caterpillar, in resting position, with the front part of the body raised in the air, was thought to resemble the Great Sphinx of Egypt. The gorgeous Tersa sphinx! This is the caterpillar of the Tersa Sphinx, one of the moths in the family Sphingidae. One brood in the north from May-October, several broods in Florida and Louisiana from February-November. . Read about the Tersa Sphinx … The main … Smooth buttonplant (Spermacoce glabra), starclusters (Pentas species), Borreria, Catalpa, and Manettia species. Predators that notice the brown caterpillars may not notice the green individuals just inches away. Tersa Sphinx Moth Caterpillar- Xylophanes tersa (2) Tersa Sphinx Moth Caterpillar Silver Ridge, NJ 9/04/10. A hairy brown body may have undertones of green or yellow. Someday, this tersa sphinx caterpillar will turn into a terrifying fighter jet like moth. 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