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Photo#991025
Schizura Unicornis (Unicorn Caterpillar), crawling (or is it walking?) on a stick - Schizura ipomaeae

Schizura Unicornis (Unicorn Caterpillar), crawling (or is it walking?) on a stick - Schizura ipomaeae
North-Western Coast of, Oregon, USA
September 16, 2012
Location wise, this took place on a riverbank on the North-Western Coast of Oregon in a wild nature park/rest area.

I took a lot of pictures on this road trip, so unfortunately, I don't remember the specific town or river this took place at.

Images of this individual: tag all
Schizura Unicornis (Unicorn Caterpillar), crawling (or is it walking?) on a stick - Schizura ipomaeae Schizura Unicornis (Unicorn Caterpillar) - Schizura ipomaeae Schizura Unicornis (Unicorn Caterpillar) - Schizura ipomaeae

Moved

OK, tagged and linked the three images you kept
since they are all of the same individual.
In our vision, unicornis does not have the hump on A5, the white marks on the anterior dorsal abdomen form chevron-like marks and the face is darker, speckled somehow.
while ipomoeae has an inflated abdominal segment 5, the white mark on the front of the abdomen is brighter and more parallel sided, while the face is lighter, relatively clear except for parallel streaks down the front.
Let's see if Laci comments

 
For what it's worth
given the late response. I think you're correct, the hump on A5 is pretty diagnostic for S. ipomoeae.

 
________________________________________
Thanks for linking those 3 images together. Oh, I see, you're right, compared to the 2 images you have linked, my specimen looks more like ipomoeae, but if you compare the pictures of unicornis to ipomoeae on wikipedia, then my specimem more closely resembles a unicornis (unless someone uploaded the wrong picture there), as they both have what look like to be "moderately" inflated A5's.

This is tougher than it looks! : )

 
Yes it is a tough species pair
and there are many that are worse!
Yes, if you follow back the wikipedia image for unicornis, you will see that it begins as a Forestry Image identified there only as genus Schizura. Don't know why the wikipedia author assumed it was unicornis. It is another ipomoeae.

We have several questions for you about these beauties
First, how many individuals are represented in these images? We would like to link any images that are the same individual.
Second, we are wondering if this isn't S. ipomoeae instead. The hump on A5 seems to point in that direction.
Third, can you click on edit and add some more information to the location fields, park, city, town, county, etc.
Finally, we probably don't need all seven images of the same insect from the same place. Can you indicate the two or three that you like the best?

 
same "model" was used in all shots
It's several shots of the same individual guy/gal. S. Ipomoeae? Could be. But the linear gray lines on the head made me sway my decision towards S. Unicornis, although don't quote me on that. : )

Thanks for the suggestions, I've got it narrowed down to 3 images and I've updated the location fields.

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