Took this photo of a fat caterpillar in our "garden" yesterday. Can anybody identify it? Taken in Table View, Cape Town, South Africa on 5th January 2013.
Daniel Marlos of whatsthatbug.com says "Hi Dylan, There isn't much detail in the posterior end of this caterpillar so we cannot make out if there is a caudal horn present, but the coloration and size are consistent with the appearance of a Death's Head Hawkmoth Caterpillar, Acherontia atropos, like the one we just posted a few days ago from Israel. This is a different color morph from the typical Death's Head Hawkmoth Caterpillars we generally receive which are more green and yellow." and, considering the fact that we soon after found a fat green equivalent, I reckon that's confirmation enough.
Daniel Marlos of whatsthatbug.com says "Hi Dylan,
ReplyDeleteThere isn't much detail in the posterior end of this caterpillar so we cannot make out if there is a caudal horn present, but the coloration and size are consistent with the appearance of a Death's Head Hawkmoth Caterpillar, Acherontia atropos, like the one we just posted a few days ago from Israel. This is a different color morph from the typical Death's Head Hawkmoth Caterpillars we generally receive which are more green and yellow." and, considering the fact that we soon after found a fat green equivalent, I reckon that's confirmation enough.