Where the Wild Things Are

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"Wild Thing" (Click for larger views)
Plebeian Sphinx moth, Paratrea plebeja
West Odessa, Texas

Apparently the answer to where the wild things are is frequently in my house, and specifically in my bedroom. Long time followers of my blog will remember that there is a trumpet vine that grows outside my bedroom window, and even more strikingly, inside my bedroom window. It is that wild vine that has now attracted this kind of moth. In its caterpillar (larva) form it has found a way inside also.

I discovered it hanging on my curtain this morning, looking from a distance just like a folded leaf. And what a big surprise seeing it was a leaf with legs!

Before I returned it to the great outdoors where it belongs (in my humble opinion), I brought into the studio (the kitchen table) for a few fearless close up shots.

Links
A July 2007 shot of my vine as it grows outside and inside.
An August 2007 shot of the vine as it continues to grow, searching for what?
The site Discover Life where I was able to identify the caterpillar based on its body color and features.
The site Butterflies and Moths has a nice write up about it. I'm fascinated that this guy isn't usually found this far west.