We first spotted this critter in our garden last year, and once we figured out it wasn't a hummingbird, we thought it was some sort of strange, huge bee. Finally, through a cool website called What's That Bug, we determined that this is a "hummingbird clearwing moth", which is a type of sphinx moth. Although theoretically moths are nocturnal, we only see this one during the day, usually in the late afternoon. This one was visiting our lantana - all the butterflies and moths love our lantana!
In reading The Handbook of Nature Study, we've learned that this cool critter is NOT so cool as a larva! They are the tomato hornworm that munches our garden! They are harmless but pretend to be ferocious; they raise their front parts as if to attack, and they have a horn (looks like a wicked stinger but it's not) on their rear. The Handbook of Nature Study says, "If attacked they will swing sidewise, this way and then that, making a fierce crackling sound meanwhile, well calculated to fill the trespasser with terror." I've plucked those off of our tomato plants, and they do put on quite a show. The reason they are called sphinx moths is because of the pose they do when they raise their front half in a threatening attitude.
Another form of sphinx moth is called the catawba worm, because it eats catawba trees. Ken says his grandfather used to raise them because the larvae are wonderful fishing bait. He even had a roadside stand selling them down in their little hometown. Apparently when threaded on a fishing hook, they wriggle like crazy and ooze a fluorescent green fluid -- extremely gross to me, but apparently divinely delicious to catfish in particular.
In studying insects this week, we also found a cicada, and then came home and found a neat video of a cicada emerging from its shell. Kathryn thought it was "cool, weird, and a little freaky," but she kept wanting to watch it over and over again! We found roly poly bugs, too, but learned that those aren't really insects; they're isopods. She has a frog -- and therefore crickets -- at her dad's house, so she's going to spend some time observing them this coming weekend for our cricket study.
Kathryn made another journal entry for this study, so she's doing great with her entries! Being in Barb's "Nature Study Hall of Fame" is a good incentive, so thanks Barb!
In reading The Handbook of Nature Study, we've learned that this cool critter is NOT so cool as a larva! They are the tomato hornworm that munches our garden! They are harmless but pretend to be ferocious; they raise their front parts as if to attack, and they have a horn (looks like a wicked stinger but it's not) on their rear. The Handbook of Nature Study says, "If attacked they will swing sidewise, this way and then that, making a fierce crackling sound meanwhile, well calculated to fill the trespasser with terror." I've plucked those off of our tomato plants, and they do put on quite a show. The reason they are called sphinx moths is because of the pose they do when they raise their front half in a threatening attitude.Another form of sphinx moth is called the catawba worm, because it eats catawba trees. Ken says his grandfather used to raise them because the larvae are wonderful fishing bait. He even had a roadside stand selling them down in their little hometown. Apparently when threaded on a fishing hook, they wriggle like crazy and ooze a fluorescent green fluid -- extremely gross to me, but apparently divinely delicious to catfish in particular.
In studying insects this week, we also found a cicada, and then came home and found a neat video of a cicada emerging from its shell. Kathryn thought it was "cool, weird, and a little freaky," but she kept wanting to watch it over and over again! We found roly poly bugs, too, but learned that those aren't really insects; they're isopods. She has a frog -- and therefore crickets -- at her dad's house, so she's going to spend some time observing them this coming weekend for our cricket study.
Kathryn made another journal entry for this study, so she's doing great with her entries! Being in Barb's "Nature Study Hall of Fame" is a good incentive, so thanks Barb!
