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Catalpa Sphinx caterpillar

Ceratomia catalpae

Description:

Can grow to be about 2 inches during their last instar. The colors are variable, with yellow on the sides and the ventral (top) being a mottling of white, black, and yellow, depending on the age of the caterpillar. Being a hornhorm, it has a black horn at the posterior end of its body. It's not a stinger, so no worries there.

Habitat:

Feeds on leaves of Catalpa spp. In this case, it was found on Catalpa speciosa.

Notes:

Catalpa sphinx caterpillars are hosts for parasitoids such as Cotesia congregata. Outbreaks of Ceratomia catalpae can lead to massive defoliation of trees. Anglers use the caterpillars as fish bait.

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Latimeria
Spotted by
Latimeria

West Virginia, USA

Spotted on Jul 22, 2010
Submitted on Feb 4, 2011

Related Spottings

Catalpa Hornworm Waved Sphinx Waved Sphinx Moth Waved sphinx (Ceratomia undulosa)

Nearby Spottings

Spotting Wheel bug Firefly Common Earwig/European Earwig

Reference

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