Tag Archives: Hummingbird Moth Caterpillars

Virginia Creepers, For FOTD July 29, 2024

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One sort of Virginia Creeper
And here is Pasiano of the keen eye
Who is an expert at spotting the second sort of creeper––
And here is one more
To complete the day’s quartet.
Click on photos to enlarge.

Virginia Creeper is one one of my favorite plants as it quickly provides a complete cover over my terrace, and although it doesn’t flower, once a year for a month or so it does provide creepers of its own—these huge caterpillars that eventually turn into large moths that resemble hummingbirds so closely that I’ve only really ever identified one in the 23 years I’ve been relocating the larvae to my downhill lot. The caterpillars are so fascinating that I can’t bear to kill them, but in their larvae stage, they also produce bee bee-sized black poop pellets that cover the terrace and table and chairs below. If you want to see (and read) more about the caterpillars, go HERE.

Here is an image of hummingbird moth by Graehem Mountenay. I’ve never been able to capture one and have seen only one in 23 years. They must be present, though, judging by the dozens of their caterpillars that we remove from my Virginia creeper each year.

For Cee’s FOTD

Hummingbird Moth Caterpillar: One Word Photo Challenge: Insect

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I’ve been waiting to use these photos snapped a couple of weeks ago.  I am fascinated by hummingbird moth caterpillars ( also known as hornworms or tomato hornworms) and in spite of the fact that I’ve been taking photos of their different stages for 16 years, I’ve still never seen a moth! Unfortunately, these fellows make a terrific mess on my patio table or I’d leave them alone. You can see the large brown pellets they leave in two of the photos, and caterpillar poop on my patio table is just not a pleasant prospect. As it is, Pasiano goes on a Virginia creeper safari whenever we see evidence of them, then puts them down on the lot below me. I even found one myself this year! They are outer space-looking, don’t you agree? They are all different stages of the same caterpillar. Click first photo to enlarge all. You won’t be sorry. They are fascinating creatures.

(Click on first photo to create a slide series, then click on right side of each photo to go on to the next. All will be enlarged.)

until you have something to compare it to.

 

 

 

For the Insect challenge.