When the boys and I shot a few pictures of a strange looking caterpillar on the bog walk, we didn’t realize it would be quite a to-do.
Since the caterpillar was so unique, we sent a few pics to the head honcho of the bog walk just in case other patrons may have been interested.
This is the response that we got from him:
Hello,
I e-mailed Professor David Wagner at the University of Connecticut who wrote the book "Catepillars of Eastern North America", Princeton University Press, 2005. Here is what he said:
I would guess it is a prepupal Sphinx gordius. Some sphinx caterpillar turn rather red (they are green while feeding but go on a walkabout looking for a good pupation site and become increasingly reddened).
In his book he says: "Green to blue-green or rarely purple-brown." The common name is Apple Sphinx. It occurs central and eastern Canada south to central Florida. If you google the scientific name "Sphinx gordius" you get some great pictures.
Thanks - the photograph is just wonderful.
Jim Bird
Orono Bog Boardwalk
Before Jim Bird got back to us, we posted a pic on Facebook to see if anyone could identify the mystery bug. The posts from our good friend Anne Cowperthwaite Malena are just too entertaining not to share:
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First one to identify this caterpillar wins!
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Anne Cowperthwaite I can't tell if its furry or not, sure its not a slug??
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Anne Cowperthwaite some species of papilio swallowtale??
Anne Cowperthwaite Red-Striped Fireworm or Aroga trialbamaculella
September 14 at 9:06pm · Like
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Anne Cowperthwaite and please answer soon because
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Anne Cowperthwaite I am getting ridiculously obsessed over something that I don't even like!! I have online shopping to do!!
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Amanda L. Sidell anne, you make me laugh! i don't know the answer, that is why i posted it!
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Anne Cowperthwaite I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO mad right now! But damnit I'm a quasi larvae genius now!!!
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Anne Cowperthwaite Can the real caterpillar expert PLEASE STAND UP
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Anne Cowperthwaite If you enlarge pics 1 and 3 I think this is it you have created a freak. Wait, I have always been a freak.http://umaine.edu/blueberries/factsheets/insects/205-red-striped-fireworm/
The University of Maine - Cooperative Extension: Maine's Native Wild Blueberries - 205-Red-Striped F
umaine.edu
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Amanda L. Sidell don't think so anne. it wasn't shiny at all and it had that huge horn. you are seriously making my night. i can't stop laughing....did i mention that i love you! and that you should come down this weekend:)
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Amanda L. Sidell I win...its a Hemaris diffinis. turns into a sphynx moth. http://www.austinbug.com/larvalbugbio/sphinxmoths.html see bottom picture on website.
An article with photos about sphinx moths and their caterpillars in our Texas gardens.
September 14 at 9:36pm · Like ·
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Anne Cowperthwaite You have NO idea how irritated I am that you found that. I seriously just joined a "butterfly and caterpillar identification association" and submitted the picture.........I am too obsessive and competitive to play this game!!! I easily could be wasting time playing Sims, or perhaps trying to get some sleep! lol............I miss you<
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Anne Cowperthwaite awww yeah "If you would like to become a "Patron of the Sphingidae Site", contact Bill.
Please send sightings/images to Bill. I will do my best to respond to requests for identification help. "
Thanks to Anne Malena, we not only were entertained with the banter over a 24 hour period, Soren is now somewhat famous amongst the caterpillar lovers of America!
Our find can be found on this website: http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/mePenobscotsphlar.htm
Soren was so excited to see that he is now “famous” due to his caterpillar find!
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