Tomato Plant Monster!

Thanks for the comments and the info guys.

I went out to check on him and he's still there; there was really no change in his condition so I didn't bother him.

As I was looking for him something scared the crap out of me; something screeched in the flower pots that hang off the rail and I jumped back. Upon looking closer I saw a big-ass moth like the one in the pic posted by krisuk2008 .. it was a little darker in color though; almost grey. Anyhoo, I ran inside to get the camera and alas, it flew the coop whilst I was gone. Maybe tomorrow ..

Great description and info!

prob wrote in post #12901622
This appears to be a tobacco hornworm (identified by the seven diagonal stripes) belonging to the family Sphingidae. Were it not the host of a raft of parasitic wasp larvae it would have ultimately metamorphosed into a large and quite handsome sphinx moth. This larva, however, is on the fast track to oblivion as the wasp larvae consume the caterpillar from the inside out. It's a grisly way to die but a shining example of biological control at work.

As for the photo, just as well done! As a kid my dad grew tomatoes and I was always freaked out by these huge things. I may have even tortured a few... shhhh