Duh! I should have read Sherry's post before I posted. It is a Tersa sphinx moth cat. Thanks Sherry.

You must have some pentas or buttonweed in the area.

Good pictures!

Sherry

Pentas are about 2 feet away. Thanks Sherry!

Sherry,

I don't see online where hamelia patens is a host plant for the Tersa sphinx moth. But, I was just checking the shrub I saw the one on last night and I counted 10 cats in various stages in both green and brown. They are definitely eating the hameila. It's almost defoliated, should I move them to another hamelia about 5 feet away or will they wander over to it?

I did find that the Pluto sphinx moth cat uses hamelia as a host plant.

Thanks!

Rhonda

Interesting thing is that all 4 of my "Calusas" have at least 8 cats and none of the 5 of my regular hamelias have nay. Could it be a preference or is it more likely that since the Calusas are across the front of the house where the pentas are that they are just more convenient? Rhonda

Rhonda, I looked up Hamelia patens, and it's in the Rubiaceae family, the same family as pentas and buttonweed are in, which explains it. I don't know why they'd prefer the 'Calusa' variety, maybe the deeper coloring has something to do with it. I've never used this plant in my garden, but I may plant some next spring, now that I know it has a dual purpose, host for tersa sphinx moths and nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies.

Sherry

Thanks for the info Sherry. I would have never guessed that hamelias are in the same family as pentas. The cats have pretty much eaten all the leaves and are now chomping down on the berries :)

I like the calusa for its darker red flowers and denser form. Plus, its much shorter so I can use it as a foundation planting.

Rhonda

Hey Sherry. Just wanted to let you know that the first group defoliated 2 hamelias and the new group have moved on to the pentas :)