Oh man, that is huge! I can't remember where I seen this before, but I think it may be some kind of Moth?

I'll have to do some googling ;)

Sharon

Ewwwwww Brenda TOUCHED it! Ewwwwwwww! LOL, just kidding. I am looking - I have nothing to do today.

This is cool!
It looks like you have a rare species!
With 5 min. researching,.....this was the closest I could find.
A pyralid larva - an aquatic moth
Thanks for sharing!
Konrad

Gil, it was kind of neat holding it and letting it crawl around on my hands. At least it wasn't one of those caterpillars that poop as soon as they are scared. Not sure I would want to be around then.

Konrad...I couldn't find any pictures of an aquatic moth's larvae that look like the caterpillar I found. What web site did you find that had the same looking caterpillar?

Brenda

I think it's an Achemon Sphinx moth, Brenda. Colour seems light but there's a note that it's variable.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/82573

Sphinx months pupate in the soil - it must have been looking for a cozy spot!

Thanks, Gil.

My DH remembers the Achemon sphinx moth on our front door this past summer. Apparently they eat wild grapes (we have grapes growing all the way to the top of the chimney of the house) and virginia creeper (growing on the south side of the house).

Guess he was just looking for somewhere to bury himself for the winter.

Brenda

Good for you, Gil!...It sure does look like it!

Brenda, the picture, scroll down, the 6th. it's not very clear.
Konrad

Here is a link that might be useful: pyralid larva - an aquatic moth