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Photo#32203
Snowberry Clearwing, first instar Caterpillar - Hemaris diffinis

Snowberry Clearwing, first instar Caterpillar - Hemaris diffinis
Parkwood, Durham County, North Carolina, USA
September 16, 2005
Size: 3 mm
From several eggs found on Coral Honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens. This was from the same batch of several eggs (taken from these same plants) as:



Likely laid by this same female, though a day or two later than the photo below:



These first instar caterpillars are so cute, just a little white thing with a big, black horn at the rear end. What the heck does that thing do? Speculation: When I disturbed the caterpillar at one point, it arched its body so the horn pointed up. Maybe it defends against predators or parasitoids.

I have a couple of viable caterpillars from freshly-laid eggs, and I'll see if I can rear them.

Images of this individual: tag all
Snowberry Clearwing, first instar Caterpillar - Hemaris diffinis Snowberry Clearwing, pupa - Hemaris diffinis Snowberry Clearwing, pupa - Hemaris diffinis