This very interesting creature was feeding heavely on the wild grape vine we came across in the Southern Ontario Region. Take note in the image where it is a light green color, the small curved horn. The next day when we came across it again we noticed how much darker it was and it's shed skin with the curved hornstill attached. When I returned home I did some research and they verified the species as the larvae of the Pandora's Sphyinx Moth. They go through many stratas or molts , ending with a black colored stage and no longer with a curved horn. It then goes into the pupa stage and hibernates in a subterranian shelter for the winter, transfers itself into the Moth stage in spring.....
3 comments:
Hello Susan, I was delighted to see these photos of your caterpillar. The beautiful patterns and how quickly it changes appearance.
It was interesting to see, in the second picture, there is a Tick having a free ride on the caterpillar!
Beautiful photography as always. Cheerio :D)
Thanks Susan, it was so interesting to see that little Tick after I uploaded the image when I returned home....a little bonus I would say!!!!!
Ha ha, better on the caterpillar than you ;D)
I just love the little uploading surprises that sometimes await us.
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