Naturalist Notes: Update/Correction - Tobacco Hornworm Caterpillar

In my last post I thought I had a Tomato Hornworm Caterpillar on my Tomato plant. However, after doing some more research I discovered in fact that it is actually a Tobacco Hornworm Caterpillar. They are very similar in appearances. One of the major differences between the two Caterpillars are along their bodies; the Tobacco Hornworm has 7 diagonal lines, while the Tomato Hornworm has 8 lateral “V” formations. In addition, the “horn-like tail” is pink in the Tobacco and black in the Tomato Caterpillar. Both plants, Tobacco and Tomato belong to the Solanaceae family.

Last week I was searching for the Caterpillar and I just couldn’t find it. Apparently, as they mature they drop off the plants and burrow into the soil to pupate (no wonder why it was invisible!). They emerge about 2 weeks later, and out comes an adult Sphinx, Hawk or Hummingbird Moth. I'll keep you posted if I am so lucky to see one!

© Denise Etienne

“Sexy Pink”

Heliconia Chartacea or Sexy Pink

This one of my favorite species of Heliconias, it is locally know as Sexy Pink, I think you can see why ;) The bright pink parts are modified leaves known as bracts, on the underside are found the flowers which are green in color and well hidden. Their pollinators are a group of Hummingbirds called Hermits, they have long and curved beaks which are well adapted for probing into the curved flowers.  Heliconias are related to Bananas.