While cutting invasive oriental bittersweet vines in the Laurels Preserve last week, we discovered a caterpillar that we had never seen before. 

It sat motionless on a nearby grapevine and could have been easily overlooked because of its cryptic coloration.  We conducted a little research and found that it is a caterpillar in the Hornworm (Sphingidae) family, known by the common name Abbott's Sphinx (Sphecodina abbottii). This species of caterpillar has two different color forms and a "horn" located near the tail end of the body that appears as an eye-like bump.  Abbott's sphinx caterpillars feed primarily on leaves from plants in the grape family.  You can find them between May and September.

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