Allayuk uguguaq, "Strange Caterpillar," identified as Bedstraw Hawkmoth (Hyles gallii)

Observation by Olga Me:

Black and orange caterpillar seen in July 2018. We usually do not see this colored caterpillar.

Derek Sikes, Curator of Insects at the University of Alaska Museum writes:

That's a Hyles gallii larva.

Comments from LEO Editors:

Hyles gallii is the scientific name for the Bedstraw Hawkmoth. The adult Bedstraw Hawkmoth has two pairs of wings, with a wingspan of 55 to 80mm, and display brown, white, and red coloring. They can be found in open meadows and garden areas all the way from the east coast to northern Canada and Alaska. Observations in Alaska are primarily in Anchorage and Fairbanks, with additional sightings along the Parks highway. Oscarville, 4.2 miles from Bethel, is farther west than any of these recorded observations. Source: Butterflies and Moths of North American, Bedstraw Hawkmoth Species Profile. Erica Lujan

Observations of butterflies and moths outside of their normal range can be submitted to the Butterflies and Moths Project of North America. Data on butterfly and moth sightings are made available to interested scientists.