I have two unknown cats in the yard. The first one is on a baby Dutchman's Pipevine:
Help with ID plz
And here's the second fellow. He was happily chewing on an Egyptian starflower when I found him. I have a Butterflies of Houston book...and he seems to be in the swallowtail family maybe? But I can't find any with the horn on the back. I'm stumped.
It looks like the 2nd guy may be a Xylophanes tersa (tersa moth). Someone from my motorcycle forum suggested it. lol
Still looking for the first cat's ID...
Both are good guys, I think. Ah I can't help it. I want those 'lil guys. lol.
The top guy is a Polydamas Swallowtail.
Melanie
And oh yeah that's a Tersa Sphinx Moth. The horn is on his back end; it's a little hard to see in the photo because you're looking right down at it. They eat pentas and will pupate in the leaf litter under the plant.
Bella, is your pipevine a 'gigantea'? I've received a A. trilobata (today from a generous DGer) trying to attract those Polydamas. I've had gigantea for 3 consecutive years, no such luck, but if you got yours, maybe it's a matter of time before those lovelies butterflies will find me here. I meant finding my Aristolochia vines that's. lol.
Ther tersa, have you got any Pentas in the garden? Those guys are cute! I raised one year before last, and got totally carried away by their cuteness.
Thanks so much Melanie! I kept checking up on them to see when they'd spin up, but I wasn't checking the ground litter.
Lily ~ I'm almost certain that what I have is a 'gigantea.' Problem is I discovered that guy when I pulled the little pot from under the established vine. I'll have to watch close now!
I'm attaching a recent pic...mostly just because I'm proud of the fact that I finally got a couple of flowers. lol. The one in the front has already faded, but a new one is appearing on the other side.
I do have a few pentas on the far side of the yard, but I watched him gnaw on the Egyptian starflower leaves... another group I'll have to watch closely. :)
Just an FYI, while the Polydamas ST can eat pretty much any pipevine, the Pipevine ST has trouble with the tropical species (I think they may have a higher toxicity level). A. trilobata is a good choice because both kinds of caterpillars will thrive on it. Really it's only an issue if you want to make sure you don't kill any Pipevine ST cats.
Melanie