This is how the Bugguide folks found moths, caddisflies, midges, beetles, and other insects at night at the 2008 Bugguide Gathering held at the UT Field Station.
Oak Ridge, TN August 17, 2008 I noticed the long white hairs sticking out from under this leaf as I was hiking at Haw Ridge. I turned the leaf over to get this photo. Like other caterpillars in this group, it is capable of inflicting a nasty sting! So even though it may look soft and cuddly, resist the urge to touch it if you see one of these in the woods! https:// Venomous caterpillars
Ijams Nature Center (Knox Co.) Although this is a Tobacco Hornworm, it is eating a tomato plant leaf! There is also a Tomato Hornworm that looks very similar. The red horn at the end of the abdomen on this Sphinx moth larva is a good identification tool. Note the large circular spiracles, the "breating holes", on the side of the abdomen. The 5 large, visible green legs are the prolegs, the 6 true legs are beneath the caterpillar's tucked head and can't be seen.
