Purple Hornworm?

Update...

Please update the DATE this image was taken. I amended the location data per the comments.

As for an ID, it's really hard to tell from this angle, I don't think D. versicolor is a bad guess. The purple coloration is due to the larva being prepupal.

… Teá Montagna, 4 October, 2018 - 12:30pm

tough one!

I think I might have a possibility: Darapsa versicolor, the Hydrangea Sphinx. Look at info here:
http://stri.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?search=Darapsa+versicolor

and here
http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/dversico.htm

According to Bill Oehlke's site, these caterpillars' horns turn downward and they get very dark before pupation, as in this image.
Just a thought.
--Bobby

… Bobby Grizzard, 24 April, 2007 - 3:11pm

Sphinx

Jo, I agree with you that it is a Sphinx moth, but it seems hard to say much else. Can't really see any markings to speak of...wonder if it had any. Knowing the size might help eliminate some possibilities, but this would be a tough one to try to take to species.

--Stephen

Stephen Cresswell
Buckhannon, WV
www.stephencresswell.com

… Stephen_WV, 3 September, 2005 - 5:05am

Info given to me on this caterpillar

From Leo Spinner, who found it:

"that caterpillar was short and stocky, maybe four inches at best, but as thick around as a regular Hornworm."

"The Caterpiller was found in North Central Mass., (Lunenburg to be exact) and it was actaully walking on a small sandy beach.
The beach is on a fresh water lake and is mostly shaded, making the majority of the sand damp and in some spots light green with algae growth.
The trees over hanging the beach are primarily Paper (White) Birch and Maple. There are flowers planeted along the edge of the beach and they are primarily Yellow Eyed Susans and Primrose with a heavy concentration of Bearded Iris and Daylilies
There is a large vegetable garden about 60 feet from where it was found. Everything from asparagas to tomatoes.
The surrounding woodland is primarily mixed hardwoods and there is a very long (and deep in some areas) brook which feeds the lake."

Jo

… Jo Ann Poe-McGavin, 4 September, 2005 - 11:24am