catawba worms definition
Catawba Worm. The Catawba worm is the larva of the sphinx moth. This black and yellow caterpillar infests the catalpa tree and feeds off of the tree leaves. It is considered a pest mainly because the catalpa tree is popular for itâs magnificent wood that is used for fine cabinetry.he catalpa tree belongs to the family Bignoniceae. It is classified as Catalpa bignonioides. âCatalpa Treeâ is the common name of a tree of the bignonia family. The species is cultivated as an ornamental shade tree, growing to up to 40 feet tall (12 m).