We found this very big, very fat caterpillar at the stables this week-end: I've found out that it's a Hyles gallii caterpillar, about 7 cm/3 inches long and rather thick. I really like the red spike near it's hind. Since it seemed to be a bit shy I couldn't get a good photo of it's face.
Talk about a juicy meal for a bird I'd be very interested to see the butterfly that comes about from that.
What a big thing! I have seen the moth many times, but this is the first time that I have seen the larva. This is an interesting foto, Droopy.
What a great photo, but i think he looks rather scary i would not want to come across him in the middle of my plant !! he is rather beautiful though, I am just not very brave with bugs!
I found this link for more information on this handsome guy: http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/hgallii.htm I have Sphinx moths fluttering around my garden all summer but have never seen a caterpillar. Thanks for the great picture and for sparking my curiosity to find out more about him!
Droopy I wish we had them here.She is a real beauty .Thank you for your photo. kaseylib thanks for getting the info and picture of this wonderful beauty.It sure reminds me of a humming bird moth.It is a beauty.
I don't think I would like to try and eat it, even though it's rich in protein. We put it carefully away, and I hope it will be safe until it's turning into a moth.
Eeewww! I'm not sure I'd like finding him on my plants! He reminds me of those Hornworms I find...they gross me out! But I know they turn into lovely moths so I leave them alone.
This is turning out to be a moth, not a butterfly, guys. I have seen tomato hornworms which it also have a red horn but it is green in color. It's much scarier than this one in my opinion. Anyway, seeing these creatures is one of the delights of having gardening as a hobby. LOVE IT!
