For care of "found larvae/caterpillars" visit Manduca sexta larva, central
Texas, August 21, 2008, Trina Woodall.
It is hoped that this checklist, with the thumbnails and notes, will help you quickly identify the Sphingidae larvae you have encountered.
A WO" after the species name indicates that I have no confirmed reports of this species in Los Angeles County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present.
A USGS indicates the moth is reported on the USGS website and/or in Moths of Western North America, #2. Distribution of Sphingidae of Western North America, revised, an excellent little booklet available through Paul Opler.
This page is inspired by and dedicated to Audrey Morris who sent me the image of the Hyles lineata larva at the top of the page.
Audrey writes, "On your Hyles lineata lineata page, you mention a report from Texas of it feeding on Gaura lindheimerii
in 1996. That's the first time I've seen that mentioned as a food source.
"I have attached a pic (hope this is OK) from May 29, 2007, Westchester, Los Angeles, CA, of a Hyles lineata
lineata feeding on Gaura lindheimerii Siskiyou Pink. There were actually at least 2 of them, maybe 3. Just
today (June 4) I saw 2. I also have 4 o'clocks (which I can't seem to get rid of!), but there are no caterpillars on those.
"Thank you for the site, I read about it on Whats That Bug?"
Many thanks to Terie Collamer who provides the following image of Sphinx chersis. The dorsal, reddish-brown hue is an indication this caterillar is ready to pupate.
Sphinx chersis final instar, ready to pupate, Los Angeles County, California,
September 22, 2017, courtesy of Terie Collamer, id by Bill Oehlke.
Hyles lineata larva on Clarkia Elegans, La Habra Heights, Los Angeles County, California,
April 29, 2019, courtesy of JoAnne Custer.
Hyles lineata larva on Clarkia Elegans, La Habra Heights, Los Angeles County, California,
April 29, 2019, courtesy of JoAnne Custer.
Hyles lineata larva on Clarkia Elegans, La Habra Heights, Los Angeles County, California,
April 29, 2019, courtesy of JoAnne Custer.
Sphinginae subfamily
Smerinthini Tribe:
Macroglossinae subfamilyDilophonotini Tribe:
Philampelini Tribe:
Macroglossini Tribe:
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Enjoy some of nature's wonderments, giant silk moth cocoons. These cocoons are for sale winter and fall. Beautiful Saturniidae moths will emerge the following spring and summer. Read Actias luna rearing article. Additional online help available.
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