The Pandora sphinx moth, also called the Pandorus Sphinx Moth, is a North American moth in the Sphingidae family. It is a large, greenish gray moth with darker patches and pink edges and small pink eyespots.
Similar species: Moths And Butterflies
By Lisa Kimmerling
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Uploaded Sep 26, 2018. Captured Sep 25, 2018 10:30 in 361 Burlington Rd NE, Rome, GA 30161, USA.
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"This striking caterpillar is the larva of the Pandora Sphinx (Eumorpha pandorus) moth. Found across the eastern United States, they feed on Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) and grape (Vitis sp.) leaves, and can grow close to 10 cm long. Their colors vary as they can be green, brown, orange, pink, or cinnamon. Early instars have a dorsal horn, which is replaced by an eyespot during their late caterpillar-hood. The most distinguishing feature of these caterpillars is the row of five, large, white spots on each side of their bodies. These oval-ish spots surround spiracles, which are openings through which the caterpillar breathes. Insects don't have lungs; instead, air enters an insect's body through the spiracles, passes through their trachea, and then enters their body tissues directly. When threatened, they raise their heads and thoraxes up in a pose that resembles that of the Egyptian Sphinx - hence their common name. They are quite feisty as they also thrash back and forth and regurgitate food in order to dissuade predators. These behaviors, in addition to their large eyespots, give them an effective defense. Once they have reached their full size, the caterpillars tunnel into the ground and pupate, thus enjoying an underground respite until they are ready to emerge as adult moths. {Spotted in Georgia, USA by JungleDragon moderator, Lisa Kimmerling} #JungleDragon" Posted 3 years ago
I love onomatopoeia by the way. "Pfft" is a good one, but my fave is "plouf". It's French for plonk. Posted 3 years ago