Found in the Compost Pile - Ask Extension
Digging in the compost found these guys in the bin. They are about 4 inches long with one spike on their behind. So, a question about these large, gre...
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Found in the Compost Pile #258057
Asked June 29, 2015, 5:21 PM EDT
Digging in the compost found these guys in the bin. They are about 4 inches long with one spike on their behind. So, a question about these large, green and black caterpillar looking critters. 1) What are they? 2) Will they grow up to be friend or foe to the garden?
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Expert Response
This looks like the caterpillar of the Pink Spotted Hawkmoth (Agrius cingulata). http://bugguide.net/node/view/834345
There are apparently many variations of patterns for this caterpillar, and this pattern is one for the caterpillar of the above-mentioned Hawkmoth. There are interesting links in this article, too.
The plants that attract the caterpillar of the Pink Spotted Hawkmoth are sweet potatoes and Jimson Weed. If you have any of these in your garden, keep an eye out.
There are apparently many variations of patterns for this caterpillar, and this pattern is one for the caterpillar of the above-mentioned Hawkmoth. There are interesting links in this article, too.
The plants that attract the caterpillar of the Pink Spotted Hawkmoth are sweet potatoes and Jimson Weed. If you have any of these in your garden, keep an eye out.
Wing Span: 3 3/4 - 4 3/4 inches (9.5 - 12 cm).
Life History: Caterpillars are large and stout and have a horn at the end of the abdomen. They feed both day and night. Caterpillars pupate in chambers dug in the ground. Adults are very strong fliers.
Flight: . One flight from June-October in most of the range, several flights throughout the year in Florida and Louisiana.
Caterpillar Hosts: Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), jimsonweed (Datura), and related plants.
Adult Food: Nectar from deep-throated flowers including moonflower (Calonyction aculeatum), morning glory (Convolvulus), and petunia (Petunia species).
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical lowlands, open areas.
Range: Argentina north through Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean to the southeastern United States, Texas, southern New Mexico, Arizona, and southern California; strays northward in the summer to British Columbia, Colorado, Michigan, and Maine.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: The caterpillars can be pests on sweet potatoes in the southern state
Also see this article about other hornworms in the garden: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05517.html