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Poplar Hawk-moth

Laothoe populi

Photo by Sof
Published on Project Noah
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40.1649, -8.86016

Field Notes

Description:

This caterpillar is around 6 cm long, green with tiny yellow/bright green dots and pink/magenta spots. It has a spike on its "tail". It curled and jumped, making whip-like movements when it became scared.

Habitat:

Urban.

Notes:

I found this beautiful caterpillar on the ground of a car park and since there were a lot of birds flying about I decided to bring it with me and placed a lettuce leaf near it. Since I don't know what it is, I'm unsure if it will even eat it and have no idea of what its needs are or what it'll become, so I'd appreciate if someone could help me identify it quickly. I'd also like to know where the best place to free it would be, if anyone knows.
EDIT: The Caterpillar is now free, unfortunately I did not have the camera with me, but it quickly started digging down as soon as she felt the dirt beneath her.

Species ID Suggestions

Poplar Hawk-moth

Laothoe populi

Comments (3)

Thank you so much for the info, I know the perfect place to free it then :)
Because it was so big, on the ground, and is turning brown, this suggests that it may have finished feeding and is looking for a place to pupate. It will want to bury itself in the ground - preferably soft soil near a tree. Hope this helps!
Hi Zariga! This looks like a Poplar Hawk-moth caterpillar (Laothoe populi). They feed on poplar (Populus), aspen (P. tremula) and sallow (Salix).

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