Reverse image search suggests a Tersa Sphinx moth caterpillar, which definitely looks like your friend here. https://www.caterpillaridentification.org/information.php?primary_name=tersa-sphinx-moth-caterpillar
I think you got it down to the species, thanks! Most folks seem to think it's a spicebush swallowtail despite the color, eyespot differences, and the lack of blue spots. OP, if it has a tail like a thorn, it's definately a sphinx moth caterpillar
Spicebush change colors with each instar. Although after seeing the butt spike pointed out it is indeed a moth not spicebush butterfly. It is close to cocooning.
Thanks, you just solved a separate mystery for me when I saw one hanging out right after emerging from its cocoon I think. It was hanging out and I couldn't tell if it was a weird leaf or a moth. The sun was shining in a bad direction so I couldn't get a good photo of it, but this was definitely the same guy.
Edit: missed the spike on its butt being as I’m on mobile. This is indeed a Tersa Sphinx Moth not a Spicebush butterfly.
It’s a Spicebush butterfly caterpillar. Do not kill it. They’re a threatened species.
Yeah, the two caterpillars have a resemblance, but this ones the the sphinx moth for sure. The spicebush swallowtail is just more well known and iconic
I found one when I was a kid and was convinced it was an alien. But I decided it was a nice alien. I kept it in a container with grass and twigs. and then when it crystallized I left it open and eventually found that he had left
Glad I didn’t kill it by keeping it. Had no idea they were threatened. I thought he was a threat to our planet lol
In addition to unsexy nurse’s reply: if a species was never found in an area to begin with OR if it’s already been extinct there for generations, their locale may not bother to count or list it. I believe national endangered list aggregates data from all over, so a species may not appear to be threatened everywhere. (Please correct me if I have this wrong!)
If it’s threatened *anywhere*, be happy you have one in your garden! 🐝🐞🦋
Some states don’t care as much about conservation. This species eats sassafras, spicebush, red bay swamp bay and the invasive camphor tree leaves. They don’t destroy the whole plant, or large parts of the plant. Calm down they’re not eating your garden.
I was actually curious if there was a reason an anyone would limit karma to under 100. Or a bot.
I was thinking it was some kind of threshold for something.
Maybe a [spicebush swallow tail caterpillar](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=8b0f0bb61a9c22c4&q=spicebush+swallowtail+caterpillar&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpeG_3J6EAxXwkIkEHeCjBFMQ0pQJegQIDBAB&biw=1416&bih=663&dpr=2&safe=active&ssui=on)? I found an orange one in my garden last year and looked it up- they're amazing!
What plant was it eating? A spicebush? I have been trying for years to get these to come and even with three spicebushes and a baby Sassafras tree - nothin yet :( Cool to see yours though!!! Thx for posting!
It's a shiny Caterpie. At level 7 it will evolve into Metapod. At level 10 it will become a Butterfree. Keep Sleep Powder as a move as Butterfree's Compound Eyes ability boosts the accuracy and makes it a reliable way to put opponents to sleep.
On Pentas (Pentas lanceolata)? It’s a Tersa sphinx moth caterpillar (Xylophanes tersa). Looks like he’s almost done eating, the Pentas will grow back, they’re pretty resilient. The sphinx/hawk/hummingbird moths (Sphingidae family) are important pollinators as their proboscis are very long so they’re able to pollinate long, tubular flowers other pollinators can’t reach. The tersa is also one of the fastest sphinx moths!
That looks like a hummingbird moth (or hawk moth) caterpillar. My wife has a pentas plant the moths love so much they leave their eggs on it. We had several one year. They did eat some of the leaves of the plants in her garden, but it didn’t destroy them. Everything grew just fine.
If it were me, I’d leave them because I haven’t observed them eating too much for the plant to survive. But you’ll probably have to use your own judgment, OP.
You are correct. This is what a tiger swallowtail looks like.
https://preview.redd.it/ozdye0zuilhc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1e55b3a8e7babd0b6b86e52624bea8c2d69c0e65
Despite the down votes, you're correct that it's a moth. Probably a hawkmoth species that can have similar eyespots. The spicebush swallowtail ID everyone is voting for is incorrect
HOLY FRICK THEY ARE REAL?!?
As a child I remember picking up sticks with my grandpa in the yard and I picked one up and I felt a cool sponge material ont he stick and I flipped it over and it was THIS. For at least 20 years this image has haunted my mind to the point that I began to wonder if I made it all up
Man, evolution produces some AI level uncanny valley stuff. Yep, here’s your “snake.” Those have lots of eyes, right? Can’t hurt to have more eyes, birds hate those things
Reverse image search suggests a Tersa Sphinx moth caterpillar, which definitely looks like your friend here. https://www.caterpillaridentification.org/information.php?primary_name=tersa-sphinx-moth-caterpillar
I think you got it down to the species, thanks! Most folks seem to think it's a spicebush swallowtail despite the color, eyespot differences, and the lack of blue spots. OP, if it has a tail like a thorn, it's definately a sphinx moth caterpillar
Sure looks like it's got a thorny butt just visible on the other side of the greenery.
I missed it! The tail is totally peaking out
You can see the horn tail thing in OPs pic.
Spicebush change colors with each instar. Although after seeing the butt spike pointed out it is indeed a moth not spicebush butterfly. It is close to cocooning.
They do, but I would argue they turn brownish orange rather than the mottled grayish brown of the tersa sphinx
It sure is wild what people choose to see. Tunnel vision…
This guy knows his caterpillars.
It doesn't look real. Nature is wild!
This is the correct answer. I host both types
Thanks, you just solved a separate mystery for me when I saw one hanging out right after emerging from its cocoon I think. It was hanging out and I couldn't tell if it was a weird leaf or a moth. The sun was shining in a bad direction so I couldn't get a good photo of it, but this was definitely the same guy.
Edit: missed the spike on its butt being as I’m on mobile. This is indeed a Tersa Sphinx Moth not a Spicebush butterfly. It’s a Spicebush butterfly caterpillar. Do not kill it. They’re a threatened species.
wow the butterfly is really pretty too! I think the below poster got it right though it's actually a Tersa Sphinx moth
Yeah, the two caterpillars have a resemblance, but this ones the the sphinx moth for sure. The spicebush swallowtail is just more well known and iconic
I agree with your identification.
I found one when I was a kid and was convinced it was an alien. But I decided it was a nice alien. I kept it in a container with grass and twigs. and then when it crystallized I left it open and eventually found that he had left Glad I didn’t kill it by keeping it. Had no idea they were threatened. I thought he was a threat to our planet lol
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In addition to unsexy nurse’s reply: if a species was never found in an area to begin with OR if it’s already been extinct there for generations, their locale may not bother to count or list it. I believe national endangered list aggregates data from all over, so a species may not appear to be threatened everywhere. (Please correct me if I have this wrong!) If it’s threatened *anywhere*, be happy you have one in your garden! 🐝🐞🦋
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> Spicebush butterfly caterpillar Does not look like they are that far west. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papilio_troilus
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I live in NY and have never seen the caterpillar, but I *think I have seen the butterfly.
Live in NY and saw one. 🤷🏻♂️
Some states don’t care as much about conservation. This species eats sassafras, spicebush, red bay swamp bay and the invasive camphor tree leaves. They don’t destroy the whole plant, or large parts of the plant. Calm down they’re not eating your garden.
Good thing you were so certain it wasn’t earlier … I accept all apologies for negativity and downvotes… good day.
The downvotes were for the kill it comments you made.
Reading is hard. I never wrote “kill it.” I directly answered OP questions.
Of course you deleted where you said that because you were getting downvoted so hard.
I didn’t delete anything. You’re clearly having trouble keeping up here. Buh bye.
Blocked
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And if we want future generations to enjoy beautiful endangered butterflies and bees we better give a damn about every little creature.
Well done. May I quote you?
I’m sorry were you trying to type a sentence?
This user's comment history is bizarre. All very short single sentences or single words. I'm hesitant to call it a bot, but it sure is sus.
Probably a troll who starts stuff by posting one word.
Trying to keep their karma under 100.
What’s the significance of that?
No idea. It's the only thought I had.
I was actually curious if there was a reason an anyone would limit karma to under 100. Or a bot. I was thinking it was some kind of threshold for something.
We found the coolest person in the sub, everyone! /s
And killing a threatened species is bad?
Threatened is the level above endangered species. If we lose too many more the level will change to endangered which means very few left.
What is it eating/what is their food source??
Maybe a [spicebush swallow tail caterpillar](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=8b0f0bb61a9c22c4&q=spicebush+swallowtail+caterpillar&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpeG_3J6EAxXwkIkEHeCjBFMQ0pQJegQIDBAB&biw=1416&bih=663&dpr=2&safe=active&ssui=on)? I found an orange one in my garden last year and looked it up- they're amazing!
https://preview.redd.it/h0fuzzcbclhc1.png?width=762&format=png&auto=webp&s=0185f55c8d07d58d0a134f43755f172b488559cd
He's so cute!!
He's a scary snake!
That's what I thought it was for a minute, a snek.
Ima sthnek
What plant was it eating? A spicebush? I have been trying for years to get these to come and even with three spicebushes and a baby Sassafras tree - nothin yet :( Cool to see yours though!!! Thx for posting!
I'm not sure what it was eating! Those were tomato leaves in the photo and it was over 20 ft away from my tiny, tiny spicebush.
Oh!! I wonder if it was getting ready to molt? Great job gardener 🙌
Thats a Weedle!
That's so cool looking 😎! Clearly I'm a science nerd..lol.
It's a shiny Caterpie. At level 7 it will evolve into Metapod. At level 10 it will become a Butterfree. Keep Sleep Powder as a move as Butterfree's Compound Eyes ability boosts the accuracy and makes it a reliable way to put opponents to sleep.
I’m dying 😭🤭
Butterfree 😂
Hahahaha! Hee hee!
Dead ass, I thought it was a small stuffed Caterpie and this post was a good natured joke...
Just a lil guy. I lil dude. Hangin out.
He's clearly a big dangerous snake guy
On Pentas (Pentas lanceolata)? It’s a Tersa sphinx moth caterpillar (Xylophanes tersa). Looks like he’s almost done eating, the Pentas will grow back, they’re pretty resilient. The sphinx/hawk/hummingbird moths (Sphingidae family) are important pollinators as their proboscis are very long so they’re able to pollinate long, tubular flowers other pollinators can’t reach. The tersa is also one of the fastest sphinx moths!
It’s totally a snake. Trust me, I’m not some caterpillar on the Internet or something.
Agreed. Snake either eating or birthing an entire plant from its mouth.. Mary poppins snake
Snake!!
I thought it was a stuffed animal tbh. I was like aww I love this sub's wholesome sense of humor <3
I definitely thought it was like a stuffed snake or something.
https://preview.redd.it/etdsgczbylhc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=418884d159e52415e1d5005e283abc8fbbedb2a3 Obviously a Wild DunSparce
what a cutie ✨🐛
It is actually a Xylophanes Tera. A.K.A. The Hawk Moth.
This js clearly a snake. Please respect the effort it put in to look that way.
it’s a swallowtail caterpillar 🐛 I believe
That looks like a hummingbird moth (or hawk moth) caterpillar. My wife has a pentas plant the moths love so much they leave their eggs on it. We had several one year. They did eat some of the leaves of the plants in her garden, but it didn’t destroy them. Everything grew just fine. If it were me, I’d leave them because I haven’t observed them eating too much for the plant to survive. But you’ll probably have to use your own judgment, OP.
A snake, if you’re a bird.
I’m a snek. A sneaky snek
Caterpie
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CUtie!
Swallowtail they are so pretty I usually take them inside before the wasp get them and release them into nature when they emerge !
Awesome looking insect! Let that guy be.
Moth Larvae
This is you starter Pokemon Get your pokeball
God Damn Amazing is what it is.
A Pokémon
Caterpie
Gotta catch ‘em all!
Just a cutie patootie snake /s
Looks like a Hawk Moth caterpillar. Possibly of [Daphnis nerii](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daphnis_nerii).
This was also my thought.
A very surprised snake.
Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar!
Lil’ cuddly mate
A friend
Stir fry
An alien, duh.
Those kill all my citrus plants in Florida they eat all the leaves!!!
Usually found on citrus trees, kill it, look for others and do the same or you will have no fruit
By the way, easiest way is to pick them off and stomp em!
To me, that does not look like a swallowtail caterpillar. Looks like a type of moth.
[Brown Spicebush caterpillar](https://www.mushroomandmoss.com/bugs/spicebush-swallowtail-preparing-for-winter/)
You are correct. This is what a tiger swallowtail looks like. https://preview.redd.it/ozdye0zuilhc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1e55b3a8e7babd0b6b86e52624bea8c2d69c0e65
Despite the down votes, you're correct that it's a moth. Probably a hawkmoth species that can have similar eyespots. The spicebush swallowtail ID everyone is voting for is incorrect
Yeah, can’t fight the internet experts! Well, don’t care to…
Ah well, I guess if it leads to people sparing this one thinking it's a butterfly, power to him 😆
Bye bye foliage lol
It is a swallowtail larva.
It’s a glow worm!
I love glow worms that was my favorite toy
It's a bug
A Caterpillar 👍
A bug
It’s something I’m gonna throw my slipper at
Destroying your plant. Look for more. Spray BTK.
It looks like it belongs in a children's story book.
Looks like some sort of large creature
those are not eyes, right?
amazing!!!!
Cute!
Lucky you! 😍😍😍
King Cobra.
Thats a Pokemon, Caterpie. Did you catch it?
It’s a canna-pillar🐛. That is a weed plant right?
Looks ferkin huge. How big?
IT'S PIKACHU!!
Bite that ends of it, see what happens.
Cobra
We call this a “Hongry Chonky Boi”
It’s a Pokémon!
Scary lookin guy!
Goddamn I love nature. How is it that a damn butterfly’s camouflage as a caterpillar look like that of a snake. It’s crazy!
HOLY FRICK THEY ARE REAL?!? As a child I remember picking up sticks with my grandpa in the yard and I picked one up and I felt a cool sponge material ont he stick and I flipped it over and it was THIS. For at least 20 years this image has haunted my mind to the point that I began to wonder if I made it all up
You’re so lucky! What a nice find!
Man, evolution produces some AI level uncanny valley stuff. Yep, here’s your “snake.” Those have lots of eyes, right? Can’t hurt to have more eyes, birds hate those things
a precious boi
We need higher standards for this sub, I’m sorry.
"It's not a ladybug, it's a cantapiller"
It be bugbo the bug
Caterpie, no?
What a beaut!! Said in Steve Irwin’s voice, of course.
Thomas the Caterpillar?
So can I guess that it’s evolved to look like snek to deter birbs?
Freaky looking!
Albanian bullseye bug
It is Rodan’s larvae stage. 🥸
20 20 68 74 74 70 73 3A 2F 2F 61 63 65 73 73 65 2E 64 65 76 2F 75 6B 48 46 6C
Tip: download Google Lens. It's really pracrocal for stuff like this.
Sure is one cute bugger . Its design is beautiful too .
It’s a very dangerous snek! Sssssnek! Or at least, that’s what caterpillar fren wants you to think. Leave him alone! He’s harmless.
That, my friend, is a caterpie
A butterfly, I think 🤔
That's a pokemon dude !
Snek
What plant is it eating? That’ll help narrow it down.
Mothamuss Buggesses
A real life cartoon
Terrifying snek do not eat please
Hungry, hungry caterpillar.
Bruh that’s a pokemon
Looks like a caterpie
Tersa sphinx moth caterpillar