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.
Great Smoky Mountains NP August 9, 2008
