My Caterpillar on his Hookah :)

lazy_gardens

9 years ago

White-lined Sphinx Moth caterpillar on 4 O'Clocks

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woollybear69

9 years ago

Two very beautiful caterpillar photos.

Comments (12)

notolover
9 years ago
Super cute pic!!!

Like your subject line as well.
SouthCountryGuy Zone 4b-5 SE BC
9 years ago
Nice pic!

Will the cats feed on the four o'clocks? I wasn't going to plant them again as they are more like 9 o'clocks here so I never get to see them open.

SCG
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lazy_gardens
Original Author
9 years ago
These caterpillars are definitely feeding on the 4 O'clocks. Stripping the stems down to the nubs! There are three nearly full-size ones on a large plant. It will survive, but a few stems have no more leaves or flowers.

I'll be planting more 4 O'clocks next year - they are a tough plant, bloom gaudily and come in pretty colors

SCG - Get up early, and plant them in morning shade. They are open in the morning until the sun hits them.
lazy_gardens
Original Author
9 years ago
This is a nearly full-grown one ... It may or may not be the same as the cute little one.
Leafhead
9 years ago
Nice cat(s). I'll have to invest in some 4 O'Clocks next season...
docmom_gw
9 years ago
John,
4 o'clock are really easy to grow from seed. Even direct sowing, I've heard the reseed pretty well. I've not grown them, since I didn't have much sunny space. If you have the room, they are very pretty and almost foolproof.

Martha
Michaela (Zone 5b - Iowa)
9 years ago
Wonderful picture!
SouthCountryGuy Zone 4b-5 SE BC
9 years ago
Well if they are eating them I most certainly will be planting some next year. Getting up early just to see a bloom isn't my cup of tea. But I will find a spot for them just for the moths.

Leafhead, I believe I got some milkweed seeds off of you. Thanks again and if you msg me your address I will ship you some pink and red 4 o'clock seeds when they ripen.

*edit* I thought I had all the hosts for the Moth memorized and since looking it up notice they list mirabilis. Thanks, now I will grow them all the time.

SCG

This post was edited by SouthCountryGuy on Wed, Aug 27, 14 at 16:14
lazy_gardens
Original Author
9 years ago
Even direct sowing, I've heard the reseed pretty well.

I have 6 volunteers that popped up after the rainy season started. they could become a pest in a better-watered garden.
catherinet
9 years ago
Hahaha........cute!
beebeeann
9 years ago
No way! I'm so happy I clicked on this post. We saw these flying around our pentas one night last year and I never saw them again. We called them the hummingbird moths and I never put two and two together, because the pentas and four o'clocks are in the same bed. So neat! I can't wait to check on them tomorrow morning and see if there are any cats on it. Thanks for the post!!