CLOSED: ID for this caterpillar, please

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spring_chiken Algoa, TX(Zone 9a) Aug 02, 2020

Found just south of Houston, TX. Initial research suggests a Tobacco Hornworm but I don't see a horn on it's rear end, though. Can anyone ID?

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Flapdoodle Minot, ND Aug 03, 2020

It is in the same family (Sphingidae) as the hornworm. There are several species in this family whose caterpillars either never have a 'horn', or lose it during their last larval instar. Seehttps://www.sciencephoto.com/media/821864/view/banded-sphinx-caterpillar for ab example. Also, it is quite common for greenish species to assume a rosy-brownish/purplish color just before pupation.

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spring_chiken Algoa, TX(Zone 9a) Aug 03, 2020

Quote from Flapdoodle :
It is in the same family (Sphingidae) as the hornworm. There are several species in this family whose caterpillars either never have a 'horn', or lose it during their last larval instar. Seehttps://www.sciencephoto.com/media/821864/view/banded-sphinx-caterpillar for ab example. Also, it is quite common for greenish species to assume a rosy-brownish/purplish color just before pupation.



That appears to be our ID. Thank you so much for the help and information regarding the hornless varieties. Now I can do some more research. Have a great day!

*Edited to add my response.
This message was edited Aug 3, 2020 11:36 AM

This message was edited Aug 3, 2020 11:36 AM

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