Horn worms found in yard

[CHIMP]

I could probably find more, I would not feed these to my babies since I do not know what infections or worse they could transmit, but I could start a breeding colony with them if they are safe to feed to my little ones. What are your thoughts?

 

[CHIMP]

I might be just trying to make fetch work when it should not but I would always prefer native over non native and I could be wrong on that too. I know horn worms are not exspencive but a free trial and error run I can not see hurting anything. I dont know I just found them while mowing the grass and I have to say they are much bigger than the one at the pet shop

 

[Chams=Gods]

I know that some horn worms are ok for chams, but im no expert on that. And also what type of cham(s) do you have.

 

[Beman]

hmmmm Not something I have the expertise for. But I will say wild hornworms should never be fed because they are toxic due to what they eat (typically tomato leaves) The ones we buy are bred and raised specifically for feeding to reptiles.

I personally would not risk it when you can get safe hornworms from the pet store and start your own. FYI they lay a ton of eggs once they pupate and turn into moths. The turn around time for those eggs to hatch is something like 2 weeks. Unless your feeding an army of chams your going to have a ton of hornworms.

 

[Persnickety Parson's]

Some hornworms eat plants in the night shade family, not the safest of plants.

 

[CHIMP]

I agree I would never feed something I cought to my little ones. And like I said I am not sure if I am really doing something right or wrong. I do think for feeding I should use what's at the shops that we know are safe. I am hopeful there is more info out there on them. I do find the moths quite spectacular. Idk I might just be thinking of thinking and not sure what I am thinking while looking for expert advise. I might just let them cocoon and enjoy the process. I have never seen them in the wild and was fascinated by the fact that I found them all while realizing I give them as a treat every so often, but these are definitely different. I think in the end I just figured it would be good conversation. I get other may dissagree. Thank you for your responces

 

[Persnickety Parson's]

I love the hawk moths, let bury them and hatch them out for some photos, then release them.

They are stunning, but don't do well unless they have a huge flight cage.

Make sure they have easy access to climb up and dry out.

 

[CHIMP]

I know that some horn worms are ok for chams, but im no expert on that. And also what type of cham(s) do you have.

I have two vields male (Yoshi)and female(Princess). That have produced almost 100 eggs of which I have between 30-40 babies currently. And a male panther(Polick).

 

[CHIMP]

I love the hawk moths, let bury them and hatch them out for some photos, then release them.

They are stunning, but don't do well unless they have a huge flight cage.

Make sure they have easy access to climb up and dry out.

I think that is more what I am learning too. I am not always good on pics but if I remember I will send

 

[CHIMP]

I love the hawk moths, let bury them and hatch them out for some photos, then release them.

They are stunning, but don't do well unless they have a huge flight cage.

Make sure they have easy access to climb up and dry out.

I think in my area they are referred to as lunar moths. I could be wrong on that. But they are big. The more think of it. I am really looking forward to the cocoon and release. I am no expert on any of this. I am just a dumb guy who has a passion for all of it. The reptiles, insects, and everything else. My uncle's use to called me critter bug, My teen years they called me Wildlife, and now I am married and my wife called me stupid lol. But yet she supports me. And what do I do. I take her through tunnels of terror and get lost 15 miles into the Everglades. And yet she follows, Who is the dumb one? Lol. Haha! Anyway appreciate the conversation. Yall have a good night!

 

[Persnickety Parson's]

I think in my area they are referred to as lunar moths. I could be wrong on that. But they are big. The more think of it. I am really looking forward to the cocoon and release. I am no expert on any of this. I am just a dumb guy who has a passion for all of it. The reptiles, insects, and everything else. My uncle's use to called me critter bug, My teen years they called me Wildlife, and now I am married and my wife called me stupid lol. But yet she supports me. And what do I do. I take her through tunnels of terror and get lost 15 miles into the Everglades. And yet she follows, Who is the dumb one? Lol. Haha! Anyway appreciate the conversation. Yall have a good night!

If your in the US, crop those pictures and submit them to www.bugguide.net you will get a positive ID within a few days generally, then you can go on from there in deciding on how you want to go forward.

 

[Redman]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylophanes_tersa

These aren't feeding on common nightshades apparently, but I would look up the listed plants they are feeding on to be sure.

 

[CHIMP]

I am just going to watch the process and release. But I have been doing research. I believe this pic is the one. It is a white lined sphinx moth Caterpillar. I believe it is indeed safe to feed. It does not feed on night shade but on nector flowering plants. At least that is the info I have learned. I did go to that website but for some reason I can not create an account to upload a pic for identification. I am sure it is something I am doing wrong. Anyway the moth is something familiar around here but not very common. So I feel confident in my identification. I am going to dig into more info on caring for them tell they turn and fly away.

 

[CHIMP]

Ok I was able to create an account and get the images uploaded. I will let yall know what the verdict actually is. This has been really fun and I am enjoying this.

 

[CHIMP]

I would like to recant a statement. I looked up night shade and realize it is a flowering plant so they very well could be feeding on it. And since I really am not familiar with it or the catipiller. I should not have made that statement.

 

[Lennoncham]

I was gunna say no one is gunna point out these aren’t hornworms. I believe they are tersa Sphinx moth caterpillars.

 

[CHIMP]

I was gunna say no one is gunna point out these aren’t hornworms. I believe they are tersa Sphinx moth caterpillars.

I think your right

 

[CHIMP]

It is definitely a sphinx moth of some kind but I am leaning more towards Teresa now.

 

[CHIMP]

Darn spell check Tersa

 

[Lennoncham]

It is definitely a sphinx moth of some kind but I am leaning more towards Teresa now.

only one way to find out lol. The brown one is getting close to pupating.