Skip to main content

Caterpillar

Photo by Harsha Singh
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

32.5, 76.5

Field Notes

Description:

This caterpillar was binging on nettle plant leaves. When I shook the leaf it was sitting on it started banging itself sideways.

Habitat:

Western Himalayas.

Species ID Suggestions

Ramie Moth Caterpillar

Arcte coerula

Reference Link
NuwanChathuranga
1

Comments (6)
Harsha Singh
Thanks you, Dan. Now you know it was a sphinx! Thanks to Jacob. I will try searching in that direction, J. :)
Jacob Gorneau
Beautiful! This looks like a moth caterpillar to me, perhaps Acronictinae. It is a defensive posture, it is more common in Sphingids and also some Sawflies, but can be seen in other caterpillar species, such as Swallowtails, and others. This is actually the namesake of sphinx moth. Whoever named them thought the upright posture of the head looked like a sphinx.
Dan Doucette
Love the colors! I had a caterpillar behave the same way. At first it was in its normal position but then when I got close and it knew I was there, it craned its head back like this.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Butterflies & Moths of the World
Mission
Himalayan Biodiversity
Photographed
PublishedApril 7, 2013

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies