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Photo#737878
Is this a Fern Moth? - Manduca sexta

Is this a Fern Moth? - Manduca sexta
Ft. Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida, USA
January 13, 2013
What is this moth?

Carolina Sphinx - Hodges #7775
Moved from ID Request.

Nick,
Welcome to BugGuide! Excellent photos like this are always welcomed. BTW this is the first Manduca sexta for January from Florida on BugGuide. Hope to see more photos in 2012.
Robert

It's a Sphinx moth.
Manduca sexta the Tomato or Tobacco hornworm (caterpillars are commonly called that) or the Carolina Sphinx


 
Carolina Sphinx Moth
Dear Natalie,

Thank you so much for your response to my inquiry. Moths and Butterflies are a new interest for me, and I'm making plans to over hall my back yard, and make it more accommodating for these fauna. This guy showed up yesterday, very tired and slugish. I left him or her on the table outside last night, and this morning it was gone.

Thank you again, Nick Cindric / Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

 
Well despite their cuteness these can be trouble!
Their caterpillars eat an astronomical amount of tomato foliage. They're often considered a garden pest. I found my tomatoes almost completely defoliated overnight and it was because three of these guys showed up. I didn't have the heart to kill them though, they're adorable.

 
fer shure
I mean, you can buy tomatoes at the store, but you can't find these magnificent creatures on the shelf :)

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