White-lined Sphinx Moth Caterpillar
Scientific Name: Hyles lineata
Category: insect
Brief Description
A vibrant green caterpillar with characteristic yellow or white spots edged in black along its back, and a yellowish horn at the rear.
Characteristics
Can be bright green, yellow, or even nearly black with distinct dorsal markings (often paired spots or lines). It features a prominent horn on the rear abdominal segment, which is typically yellowish with a dark tip.
Habitat
Gardens, open fields, deserts, roadsides, and disturbed areas where host plants grow.
When to Find It
Caterpillars are typically found from summer through early autumn.
Conservation Status
N/A
Ecological Role
Serves as an important food source for birds and other predators; adults are significant pollinators of nocturnal and crepuscular flowers.
Easily Confused With
Other sphinx moth caterpillars such as the Tobacco Hornworm (Manduca sexta) or Tomato Hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata), which have diagonal stripes instead of pairs of eye-like or ringed spots.
Observation Tips
Look near host plants like evening primrose, four-o'clocks, and various garden weeds. They are often seen wandering across pavement in late summer as they search for a place to pupate.
Interesting Facts
Despite having a horn that looks intimidating, the horn is completely harmless and cannot sting. The adult moths are often mistaken for hummingbirds due to their rapid wingbeats and daytime hovering behavior.
User Notes
In Lincoln Nebraska