Error message
Unable to fetch location details at this time.
Frangipani Hornworm Caterpiller
Pseudosphinx tetrio
18.3563, -64.7524
Field Notes
Description:
From Wikipedia:The larva is a caterpillar which may exceed 15 centimeters in length. It is black with aposematic yellow bands and a red-orange head. Toward the posterior end is an orange bump with a black horn roughly 2 centimeters long. The legs are orange with black spots. The pupa is about 7 centimeters long. It is yellow when new, turning brown and darkening to a reddish brown as it hardens
Habitat:
It is native to the tropical and subtropical Americas from the southern and southwestern United States to Brazil. The moth form is known as the Great Grey Spinx moth.
Notes:
This caterpillar feeds on the wild Frangipani tree which produces a toxic sap that the caterpillars are immune to. Predators who ingest the caterpillar can be sickened or even killed by the poisonous toxins found in the caterpillar's body.
Found at Cinnamon Bay, St John, USVI
Comments (0)
Be the first to comment
Sign in to comment