This is a white-lined sphinx caterpillar (Hyles lineata) that's been feeding on some narrowleaf four o'clock (Mirabilis linearis) in our back yard. A couple of days ago, I touched it, and it oozed out some greenish goo. A new behavior to me! James irritated it while I shot a short video (see below). So I've since learned that these caterpillars can indeed projectile spew as a defense mechanism (our friend just dripped it out). That vomit stuff is semi-digested plant material mixed with toxins.
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