White Lined Sphinx Moth Larvae
This giant caterpillar will turn into a sphinx moth.
Don’t squish this critter! While the caterpillars of Hyles lineata are quite intimidating, they will morph into the beautiful white lined sphinx moth, also called hummingbird moths.
These large moths are often mistaken for hummingbirds in the garden due to their flight pattern and fast wing movement. They are a delight to watch and are excellent pollinators. While the caterpillars can cause some damage to tomato plants, they’ll also munch on unwanted weeds, such as in the photo.