I got several calls yesterday about a huge caterpillar many folks are seeing, usually on field edges and turnrows.

Its called the white lined sphinx moth caterpillar, or Hyles lineata.

This caterpillar feeds on several weeds but the most common around fields is cutleaf evening primrose. It also feeds on tomato, purslane and even some trees like elm and apple.

However, it poses no threat to our crops, other than tomatoes and grapes. So all you tomato and grape growers need to be on alert.

For more information on this caterpillar check out this website: Butterflies and Moths.