Abbott's Sphinx Moth: This Caterpillar Has A False Eye On Its Rump; It Mimics The Features Of A Vertebrate's

Abbott's Sphinx Moth: this caterpillar has a false eye on its rump; it mimics the features of a vertebrate's eye, and even includes a white reflection spot

The formal name for this species is Sphecodina abbottii.

From Minnesota Seasons:

The caterpillar is up to 3″ (7.5 cm) long. Middle stage (instar) caterpillars are whitish to bluish-green. In place of the horn found on other sphinx caterpillars, there is a raised orange knob on the eighth abdominal segment (A8). Final instar caterpillars come in two color forms. The brown color form has longitudinal streaks of light and dark brown mimicking the color of a woody vine. The green form has on each abdominal segment a large, pale green, saddle-shaped spot on the upper side and a similar smaller spot on each side. The pattern is said to mimic a bunch of unripe grapes. Both forms have a black, raised, eye-like knob on A8 complete with a small white spot mimicking reflected light.

When the caterpillar is pinched or poked, it often squeaks and bites at the attacker.

The fully-developed moth also has a unique appearance -- it has an ash-grey/blue coloration with streaks of pink and black.

Sources & More Info:

Encyclopedia of Life: Sphecodina abbottii

Insect Identification: Abbott's Sphinx Moth

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: Saukeville Field Station

Minnesota Seasons: Abbott's Sphinx Moth

University of Minnesota Garden Extension: Abbott's Sphinx

"Curiosity Killed My Beia" A comic I did for The Spinoff's Comic of the Month

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got myself a bag of Sour Gummy Worms! a yummy Ouchie treat!

i like to Pretend i’m a Fish and i’ve just come across a Wiggly Worm on a strange shiny object.

“oh? What could this be? a Treat for me! how unsuspicious!” fish me would say before Biting onto the hook

Day 106. Don't look away.

a happy new year to everyone! i hope that this year goes at least somewhat well, we can only try our best. always remember to take care of yourself, especially now in 2024!

happy new years! 2024 yippee!