Walnut sphinx moth

Habitat:

spotted on screened porch of riverfront home

Notes:

While there are not any of the moth's namesake walnut trees in Florida, the caterpillars are known to feed on the state's abundant hickory trees. The caterpillars also have a unique defense mechanism: when attacked they can produce a high-pitched whistle by expelling air from their abdomens, hopefully startling the attacker.