Observation date: August 03, 2013
Date notes: While clearing some Virginia Creeper from my flowerbed, I came across this huge caterpillar
Submitted by: donna mysior
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Was clearing Virginia Creeper this afternoon and noticed this guy. Saved him in a jar to take to my granddaughter's child care center. Tonight, decided to look on the Internet to see if I could figure out what he is. Seems to be the Pandora Sphinx Moth, and noticed your map does not show this species west of Central Kansas...have contacted a professor @ CU about him, and also the Butterfly Pavilion here in Westminster, CO, to see if there is any interest in someone taking him. I read on your site that the caterpillar pupates in the soil, which I do not think I could achieve. If he'd be better returned to the outdoors, I can do that, too. Please advise! I am providing Virginia Creeper leaves (which he eats), some sturdy stems, and a tad of water. Finding something to cover the jar was a challenge, as the largest jar I had available has no lid. Started with punctured heavy-duty foil, and he was coming out of that, even though the holes were smaller than his body. Progressed to my granny's old hair net, then realized I had some leftover screen material in the garage. That's on the jar for now. Will feed him fresh leaves each day until I find out what to do with him. Weather today was partly cloudy/partly sunny, but a storm was brewing at the time I found him. The Virginia Creeper was growing out of a flowerbed and down, then along the driveway, providing good cover, shade and shelter for this guy.
Status: Resident
Verified by: charleseharp
Verified date: June 21, 2014
Coordinator notes: I don't think this is the pandorus sphinx, but cannot determine otherwise.
