Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1146708

Tersa Sphinx
Xylophanes tersa

Observation date: September 05, 2017
Submitted by: candace m
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: This caterpillar appeared on a dark pink pentas plant in full flower that I had purchased about a week before the sighting. It appeared almost overnight and had stripped virtually all the leaves and flowers off in less than one day! It was quite large - about 3.5 - 4" long and fat. It had very large eye spots but they are not easily seen (if at all) in the second photo. Never have seen one like this in St. Augustine, FL. It didn't appear to look like any of the butterflies that visit our property so I'm guessing it may be from a large moth. We had to leave for an appointment on the morning it was observed and upon arriving back home about 5 hours later, it was gone, with no further sightings since.
Status: Resident
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: October 19, 2017
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): St. Johns County, United States, Florida