I passed this . . . . this . . . . this . . . . I don't know what it is . . . . on my bicycle the other day. I rolled past it in shock, both fascinated and, yes, terrified at the same time. An unfamiliar passion for scientific inquiry took hold of me and I turned my bike around and pulled up next to the . . . . the . . . . whatever it is. It moved quickly, amazingly so, heading toward a grasshopper or locust or some sort of hoppy-thing also crossing the road. Things could get ugly, uglier than I cared to witness, so I quickly got out my camera and took a quick photograph. Can someone please tell me . . . .
what the hell this is?
13 comments:
Eeeewwwww!!! Is it maybe one of those ugly tomato worms?
Not sure, but it looks a lot like a tomato worm.
I have never heard of the tomato worm, although to be quite honest I just don't know that much about worms, period. I'll consult Google and thank you both for your quick feedback.
Horned tomato worms have "V" stripes and horned tobacco worms have diagonal stripes. I have picked a dozen or so of my tomato and tomatilla plants this summer
It's a sushi roll.
Wow, I may never be able to eat sushi again!
Next time this happens, put the object on your face before you take the photograph. That will help to show the size of the thing and provide for proper analysis.
Thanks,
Science
Manduca sexta (tobacco hornworm). My boyfriend studies them! Lab-raised ones are cuter because they're all turquoise-y.
Stay away!
Dan, I do plan to give this tomato/tobacco hornworm plenty of distance. I mean, my god, it has a horn. Problem is, it showed up in one of my dreams last night. I hope that isn't an bad omen!
Hahaha you are fine.
Just remember that it's no match for the bottom of your shoe.
Post a Comment