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Project Noah Nature School
Sphinx kalmiae
jg, you might try looking on ABEbooks, which is where i usually go for used books.
Thank you, Mayra! :D
Nina, thank you! Sounds like something I am going to get! :)
the owlet book is helpful, but in hindsight, I'd have preferred a paper copy. I may buy a used one online--I've found them for about 30$ or less inclusive of shipping.
:D the Eastern Caterpillars book is very helpful! Is the Owlet Caterpillars awesome as well?
Dang, you got the ID from Wagner... me likey!!!! And, btw, I've paid him a fortune (or his publisher) via his book on eastern caterpillars, as well as the Kindle version of the owlet caterpillars
Haha, Bayucca! I just got a message from Hugh @ BAMONA, and he sent them to Dave Wagner, who confirmed Sphinx kalmiae! I'm starstruck. :) haha!
Yes, I know I should, but I will get my 5 bucks from Gerardo...
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/107...
BTW JG, if you're ever in doubt about a sphinx or saturniid, Bill is the man for the job--see the following website for sphinx moths
http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/danjans...
and he also has one for silk moths
Hahahahah! Bayucca, I think it's almost time you pay the man 8;) (meaning Bill O).
Hugh ID is definitely safe, you do not to mail him, unless you want to challenge him with 4th instar ;-)...
If you look at the bugguide link for Kalmiae you will always see this black stripe. I know that caterpillar instars might have completely different markings and colors, but from white to black?? And look at the size! Personally I am not very familiar with all this L1 to L5 or L6, but as I can see this one might not be a very early instar, looking at the size.
http://bugguide.net/node/view/3733/bgima...
There is one without black as well:
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/speci...
Guess from what site??!!
blacks:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/charaxes14/...
http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2011/07/30/l...
http://twolfephotos.smugmug.com/keyword/...
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/496...
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/496...
http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/image/282...
For me the definite ID!!
http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/skalmia...
Sphinx kalmiae, caterpillar L4
I'll get my sackcloth and ash...
I am about to send an email to him, but what specific questions should I ask? Thanks again!
Yes, skim down to his name on this page at MPG
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.ed...
I was thinking it could be an early instal as well. He was wandering around on a Maple (Acer sp.) tree. He did not seem interested, but who knows at this point! Does anyone know how to contact Hugh personally?
Nina, there is no black mark. I am not questioning Hugh, I am just confused!
Same here bayucca! It seems as if the black stripe is replaced by a white one!
I am too...I was bumped off the site before I finished my comment! I wonder if this is an earlier instar? The light green stripe that bounds the black on both sides is present in the proper position, it's just the black stripe missing. The tricolor matches perfectly. I agree with you bayucca... Hugh is also a curator on MPG, yes?
I usually do not question IDs from people who knows much more than me, but I am still looking for this black stripe!
Hugh McGuinness should be considered a trusted source. Sphinx kalmiae fits spot on.
Tricolored Black white yellow stripes above spiracles. Head body maker with black line. -page 259 in Wagner
Wow, bayucca as confused as me?! I must be dreaming. Haha, it says that H.D. McGuinness is my verifier. I have submitted another series to BAMONA including the first and second photos.
Tricolored stripes would match, but the missing black marking definitely not. I would still not agree with Kalmiae, however, I can just judge what I see and I can't see any white stripe in Kalmiae and BAMONA is usually quite a reliable source. Do you know who does the ID?? At the moment I am confused as you!
Spotted on Sep 17, 2011
Submitted on Feb 11, 2012
