Q: A huge (2 ½ to 3-inch) brown caterpillar was chewing up our white pentas and then it disappeared. The caterpillar had a huge eyespot and a ``tail.''

J.K., Coral Gables

A: It is the caterpillar of the tersa sphinx, a type of moth (moth adults are night fliers). This species feeds almost exclusively on pentas in South Florida. Another name for sphinx moth caterpillars is hornworm.

Adult sphinx moths are able to hover, can be quite large, and feed on nectar at night. They are frequently mistaken for hummingbirds at night.

The caterpillars can be handpicked and destroyed if there are too many on a plant. Otherwise, watch and enjoy them.

Adrian Hunsberger is an entomologist/horticulturist with the UF/IFAS Miami-Dade Extension office. Write to Plant Clinic, 18710 SW 288th St., Homestead, FL 33030; e-mail aghu@

ifas.ufl.edu.

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