Paonias excaecata or the Blinded Sphinx is a really cool looking caterpillar. While some forms are rather plain, others are speckled or splotched with brown or red. This is also the only Sphingidae species I have ever found eating Oak (Quercus). The individual pictured here is from Cape Cod on an Army Base. From July onward (in the Northeast), you can find this caterpillar out in the wild, they like many, many types of plants, and flouresce really well under UV light. They become extremely common later in the season, and often are one of the last sphingid caterpillars you can find each year. The adults are very pretty, with bright pink hindwings and a beautiful mottled brown forewing. #Paonias #Paoniasexcaecata #BlindedSphinx #SphinxMoth #Sphingidae #HawkMoth #Lepidoptera #Insect #Nature #Photography #Entomology #Caterpillar #Bug https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Uu9d7gCev/?igshid=1xv8d7hvh40wh
