Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1301752

Bedstraw hawkmoth
Hyles gallii

Observation date: July 19, 2021
Date notes: Observations from Jun 28, to Jul 19, 2021. The observation date given refers to the large caterpillar picture.
Submitted by: nature freak.bc
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Our garden is surrounded by fireweed currently in full boom. In the past three weeks, I've counted at least 10 of these caterpillars in various stages of growth. The caterpillar in the picture was eating fireweed leaves this morning. The colors varied from green (1-1/2" long) to light brown to blackish brown. The large ones were between 3-1/8 and 3-1/2" long. My wife and I observed a strange behavior of several of these caterpillars. While clamping on to the fireweed stem with the lower rear half, they whipped the front half left and right really fast for about a minute then resumed feeding. During the 3 week period, we suffered a heatwave with temps ranging from 29deg. to 42deg. C.
Status: Resident
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: February 17, 2022
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): Canada, British Columbia