I am absolutely in love with these dark form Xylophanes pluto (Pluto Sphinx). The adults of this moth are absolutely stunning, but oh my goodness the caterpillars are like little derpy snakes. These caterpillars are part of a project that I’m working on, the goal is to understand Sphingidae larval color morphs, and what causes them. Xylophanes pluto larvae come in a standard green form, and this brown form you see here. Sometimes the larvae of sphingids will start off one color, then shift colors in the next instar, some species can change multiple times throughout their larval growth. #Xylophanes #Xylophanespluto #PlutoSphinx #PlutoSphinxMoth #Sphingidae #SphinxMoth #SphingidaeUSA #HawkMoth #Caterpillar #Insect #Insects #igcb_mothmondays #igclub_butterfly #insects_of_our_world #ColorForms #Science #Entomology #Lepidoptera https://www.instagram.com/p/B1kVBNqgQVw/?igshid=wk6dlw18er08
