Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What insect is this? > General/curiosity insects > Caterpillars, maggots, grubs, and similar immature insects greater than 2 inches long > Whitelined sphinx caterpillar

Whitelined sphinx caterpillar

Hyles lineata

Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org

Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org

Description: 3 inches long. Coloring is variable; can be green with black stripes and yellow and orange markings or mostly black with some greenish yellow. They also have a distinct "horn" on the end of its body.

Where/When: Found on evening primrose and related plants; grapes, apples and other plants in the Rosaceae (rose family); and many types of herbs and woody plants. Active June and July.

Significance: Feeding is rarely sufficient to seriously damage plants; turns into attractive whitelined sphinx moth.

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