What sort of caterpillars are these?

**Petal** · 15-02-21, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by GEORGE

Those are all over Florida, we use to have to put moth balls in the closet's in order to keep them from eating our closes.

Right thanks George, I've identified him!
Coprosma Hawk Moth (Hippotion scrofa)

Identification
The Coprosma Hawk Moth has brown forewings with some darker mottling and indistinct vein pattern. The hind wings are reddish with black trailing edge. The body is cigar shaped tapering to a point at the tail.

Size
wingspan about 7cm

Food
caterpillars feed on leaves, and food plants include Dahlias, Impatiens, Sweet Potatoes

Breeding
The larvae are brown, with broken yellow lines over the body. there are spots on the abdominal segments becoming less distinct along the body. The first segment has black eyespots. The tail has a black horn with pale tip. Caterpillars grow to about 7cm long.

Range
Hippotion scrofa is found in Australia, New Caledonia and Vanuatu