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Photo#529704
primrose cat #1 - Hyles lineata

primrose cat #1 - Hyles lineata
Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California, USA
June 13, 2011
Size: ~25mm
One of four different caterpillars I found on a single primrose (Oenothera sp., maybe Oenothera elata?). Note the two black appendages on the rear end, which originally had me thinking Notodontidae but I'm not sure anymore. Additional shots/close-ups available upon request. Appreciate any help at all. Thanks!

Images of this individual: tag all
primrose cat #1 - Hyles lineata primrose cat #1 - Hyles lineata

Moved
Moved from Sphinx Moths.

Moved

well
its a White-lined Sphinx - Hodges#7894 (Hyles lineata)
but as to the 2 appendages..do you have a better picture of them..it may have a deformity, and id like to see it better. this could have been an interesting cat to rear!

 
I see it now!
You are absolutely right Edna, and I am such a fool! Haha. I remember originally thinking sphinx when I saw it, but when I saw the "second appendage" I threw that possibility away. I've never seen a white-lined quite this light in color before, but now I understand what's going on: the "second appendage" is actually a piece of the recently shed exoskeleton from its latest molt stuck to the caterpillar right near the real horn, which may also explain the light color. Thanks for helping me out on this one!

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