Manduca rustica – Rustic Sphinx

This 3½ inch long caterpillar was found feeding on Small White Morning-glory (Ipomoea lacunosa) on 8/6/2012. It was brought inside, put in a 5 gallon bucket with 3 inches of potting mix and a good supply of Ipomoea lacunosa leaves. The bucket was covered with window screen and kept in my office which has a constant temperature of around 70 degrees.

 

On 8/11/2012, the 4 inch caterpillar burrowed into the soil. I dug up the cocoon on 8/16/2012 for a photo.

The adult emerged 9/10/2012.

Ken Childs
Henderson, Tennessee

edited by Marcie O’Connor