Re: Caterpilla identification


Hi Gayle,

I sent your cat (caterpillar) question in to the experts on another group I'm with (gardenwithbutterflies@yahoogroups.com) .. and here is the answer.. (those guys know everything..haha)
Have fun with the cat!!! If you have a terrarium or a large jar you can put netting on, you can raise it as David says..
Connie Wheeler
Molalla, OR
terconn@molalla.net

you wrote:
> I currently have a very interesting caterpillar in my lilac tree.
>It's huge! It's a large light green caterpillar with what looks like
>a little blue tail.

The horn on the end gives it away to be a Sphingid larva
(Hawk/Sphinx/hummingbird moth). You might try this site:

http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/moths/thumb/61.htm

But it mostly has the adult moth pics. If you want to rear it, keep feeding it lilac leaves. When it moves to the bottom of the container and starts shrinking/shriveling up looking like it's going to die, put a tissue in with it near the bottom.

Leave a little heavy humidity.

It should make a little pocket in the tissue and spin a light cocoon and then a pupa.

Normally, sphinx larvae will burrow in the soil to pupate.

When it "ecloses" (emerges) you'll know what the moth looks like and can ID it further.

David

--------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the message text UNSUBSCRIBE PERENNIALS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index