Dr. Dirt Identify Caterpillars

Question:  I have photos of two different caterpillars. I would appreciate identification as well as what kind of butterfly and/or moth they turn into.

The one caterpillar is munching on Spanish Broom. The other is crossing our drive. The area is 15 miles east of Hagerman NM. Thank you! Marcia

Answer:  Good day to you…I have received your email about the two caterpillars you are asking questions about and identification.

1.       Known by two names the Broom Moth/Pyralid Moth are one and the same. It is also known as the Genista Moth because moth feeds on this genus/family of plants which your Spanish Broom belongs too.

These moths are not very attractive, they are not butterflies with lots of color. Broom moths are a golden medium brown on their outside wings with some darker spots. The inner wings are a brighter gold to yellow. They are a small moth and have a pointed snout with large brown to black beady eyes.

They are considered a pests, since they eat landscape plants and they do feed on other types of vegetation. You can find a few or by the thousands of caterpillars attacking a shrub or tree.

2.       The other large caterpillar is known as the (tomato) Hornworm. They can be found in shades of green, to pinkish and a flesh tone depending on the host plants they are feeding on, the other color is a camouflage. They are easily identified with the signature horn on their rear-in. Vegetables are a main food source and there are several rangeland native plants they will be found munching on in the wild. This caterpillar does turn into the Sphinx Moth, and is also known as the Hawk or Hummingbird moth as they do mimic the flights and patterns of hummingbirds feeding

       The adult moth can have a wing span of 3 inches, they are a moth that has color and designs on its body instead of a normal brown to dull grays on other moths. The Sphinx Moth is an excellent evening to night-time pollinator. For control on veggies pick them off and put them on large leafed-plants in the rangeland such as jimson weed another plant they will eat. I personally enjoy this moth during the summer months to fall, a lot of folks mistake this moth as a hummer.