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Caterpillar Metamorphosis

Great Ash Sphinx Moth Caterpillars

Great Ash Sphinx Moth

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read3.1K views

As I was collecting leaves from my Raywood Ash tree a couple of weeks ago to feed the Hummingbird Moth Caterpillar we were raising in a kit, I spotted something slightly different on a leave.

Its life cycle is similar to the one of the Hummingbird Moth.

Hummingbird Hawk-Moth Life Cycle.
Image Source: AnimalBook.org.

On a closer inspection I realized it was a caterpillar similar to the tomato caterpillar. I later found that it was a Great Ash Sphinx Moth Caterpillar (Sphinx Chersis).

Great Ash Sphinx Moth Caterpillar (Sphinx Chersis).
Great Ash Sphinx Moth Caterpillar (Sphinx Chersis).

Notice what will be the future proboscis at the top of the chrysalis.

Great Ash Sphinx Moth Caterpillar (Transition).
Great Ash Sphinx Moth Caterpillar (Transition).

The first Great Ash Sphinx Moth emerged from its chrysalis approximately three and a half weeks later. Click here to learn more about this Moth.

Great Ash Sphinx Moth.
Great Ash Sphinx Moth.

Another thrilling experience for my kids.

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JM Perez By JM Perez
Hummingbird Moth Hummingbird Hawk Moth Caterpillars

Hummingbird Moth Life Cycle

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read14.5K views

Early this month my kids suggested we collect a couple of Caterpillars of the White-lined Sphinx (Hummingbird Moth) and Hummingbird Hawk-Moth feasting on the Gaura Lindheimeri plants in the front yard garden (we got five in total during their second development stage of instar).

Hummingbird Hawk-Moth Life Cycle.
Hummingbird Hawk-Moth Life Cycle.
Image Source: AnimalBook.org.
Caterpillar second instar stage.
Hummingbird Moth Caterpillar second instar stage.
Hummingbird Moth Caterpillar.
Hummingbird Moth Caterpillar.

A few days ago, most of our active, fascinating and ferocious eaters began to lose appetite. They started searching for a place to pupate, slightly shrunk in size and turned brown.

Caterpillars turning color.
Caterpillars turning color.
Caterpillar Old Skin.
Caterpillar Old Skin.
Caterpillar Cocooned.
Chrysalis.

The first Hummingbird Moth emerged from its chrysalis approximately two weeks later and the last two emerged today, two days following the first.

White Lined Sphinx (Hummingbird Moth).
White Lined Sphinx (Hummingbird Moth).

The whole process of feeding and watching the Caterpillars transform was a thrilling experience for my kids.

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JM Perez By JM Perez