Hummingbird Moth Caterpillar

This monster caterpillar was found decimating the primrose patch in our flowerbed. It is a Hummingbird Moth Caterpillar.

This bad boy, complete with dangerious looking spike on his tail, was about 4-inches long.

It took a bit of research online by my wife, Sara, to identify this particular species.  The hummingbird moth is a large moth that is often mistaken for hummingbirds because they are about the same size and flit from flower to flower like hummingbirds.

To view a larger version of this image, click on the photo.