Observation date: July 17, 2013
Submitted by: eulapia
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: behavior is very calm, it is summer. I don't know the name of the host plant but it had some type of shriveled leaves along with straight ones.
Status: Resident
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: July 17, 2013
Coordinator notes: I believe this is a later instar of the Gaudy Sphinx, Eumorpha labruscae. The caterpillar mimics a snake, which gives it some protection. The moth is indeed beautiful, a large green-colored insect. Here is a video I found of the caterpillar, and a link to the species web pages on Moth Photographers Group and bugguide.net.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVasvx6HM-A&feature=player_embedded
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=7866
http://bugguide.net/node/view/6544
The suggested id of Deilephila elpenor is found in Europe and Asia, and only occasionally strays to North America.
