Information and discussion regarding garden diseases, insects and other unwelcome critters.
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July 4, 2009 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: 8a Coastal SC
Posts: 251
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Does anyone recognize this bug?
Found it relaxing on the Okra this morning. It's either sleepy or it's nearing the end of it's lifecycle because it pretty much sat there while I pushed it into the jar, and hasn't moved since it's capture.
It's underwing has reddish pink splotches that I wasn't able to capture with the camera. |
July 4, 2009 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: NY z5
Posts: 1,205
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It looks like a type of hawk moth. They are good pollinators. Is the okra in bloom?
You might be able to find out which kind of hawk moth it is here: http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/m...73&y=145&_fc=1 Tomato hornworms are the caterpillars of one kind of hawk moth. But there are many other kinds of hawk moths that are beneficial in the garden, not pests. The moth in your pic is not the hornworm kind. |
July 4, 2009 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: 8a Coastal SC
Posts: 251
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Thanks bcday, it turns out you were right! We were looking at that site, and have found it. It's a white-lined sphinx moth, and it's caterpillars do eat tomatoes I hope that because I found it in the raised bed across the yard from my maters that there won't be an invasion. Since it's not endangered, we've decided to be amateur lepidopterists. It's a very pretty moth.
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July 4, 2009 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: NY z5
Posts: 1,205
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Glad you found out what it is. I followed your link and it says the caterpillars eat "a great diversity of plants" so hopefully tomatoes won't necessarily be on the menu for yours.
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