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Tersa sphinx moth caterpillars

Xylophanes tersa

Photo by Saturniidae27
Published on Project Noah
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32.8742, -97.2766

Field Notes

Description:

Tersa sphinx moths are very common in North Texas, and pretty much most parts of the North America, and South America.They feed on pentas, and the cocoons overwinter, and hatch in the spring, through fall.This species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1771.The horn on the back is totally harmless, and this species is not aggressive at all.They are very easy to breed, and are a joy to see feeding, and pollinating at flowers at night.This species is a very special among the sphingids, due to the point that their nectar and host plant is the same (pentas).

Habitat:

From north to south Canada, to South America.They are found in gardens, and places that its host plant is found.

Notes:

They will strip down pentas plants.

Species ID Suggestions

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