Hardee County, Florida
Sphingidae Larva

For care of "found larvae/caterpillars" visit Manduca sexta larva, central Texas, August 21, 2008, Trina Woodall.

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Peggy Dunn and her grandson. Peggy found an Eumorpha fasciatus caterpillar, provided an excellent description, including host plant and surroundings, and sought information regarding its care so her grandson and his preschool class could enjoy one of nature's wonderments.

Peggy writes, "We have just (April 14, 2008) found an exquisite very large larva - I expect of some sort of hawk moth.

"We don’t know what the small plant is that is devouring. It is branching with reddish stems and is on the banks of our drainage canals as well as in the swamp.

"This larva has no noticeable horn on its posterior, but it is light green in color with black and red and white slash like markings and red feet. We would love to know what it will become and how to allow it to pupate. We live on a farm in central FL.

"I have noticed that you are good at advising one as to how to provide what is needed specifically for certain ones. We are having a cold snap so I brought it inside with some of the common water plant.

"Will it bite? In one description, it was noted that one larva would bite if disturbed. "Hopefully we can get it to our grandson who is 5 so he and his preschool class can observe it but would like to let them know what to expect the adult to be.

"Thanks so much for your time and help."

I wrote back. "Your larva sounds like Eumorpha fasciatus. I suspect the plant is one of the Ludwigia species. Please let me know the Florida County as I keep records of such things.

"Get the largest glass jar you can find or a large plastic container. A neighbour has cats and gives me the large buckets in which she has purchased kitty litter. They (empty tubs) make excellent containers for rearing large Sphingidae larva.

"Cut several stems of the host plant, length suited to your container. To help keep moisture in the stems, wrap the bottom of them (cut end of stems) in a sopping wet paper towel and then make a little cup out of aluminum foil to go over the wet paper towel. Squash the foil cup so the it is tight against the stems. The foil is to hold the moisture in around the stem (that's why you want a cup shape) and to keep the larva out of the water.

"Put foliage into container and put larva on foliage. Also, to conserve moisture in foliage, put lid on tightly on jar or plastic tub (no airholes). There wil be plenty of air for the caterpillar to breathe.

"Replace food at least every other day or as needed. Clean out droppings when you replace food.

"After a few more days of feeding, the caterpillar will probably start crawling around bottom of container. It is seeking a place in which to pupate. Normally that would occur in an underground chamber which the caterpillar would excavate.

"The caterpillar will be just as "happy" however to crawl under a dry paper towel in a sandwich sized tupperware/gladware/ziploc/etc. plastic tub. It will give off moisture and shrink considerably and then pupate under the paper towels.

"I suspect it will hatch as an adult moth two to four weeks later.

"It might bite, but probably not. Its mouth parts are large enough to chew leaves but not large enough to break skin. It certainly won't do any real damage if it does try to bite.

"Write back after you receive this, and then I will send you access to my website where you can see pictures of adult moths and larvae."

Peggy, continues, "Thank you so much. Have it already in a kitty litter (empty) bucket. I have had experience with Monarchs and giant dill pickle jars, but I think with this big guy, I'll keep it in the kitty litter bucket. I'll collect the leaves and watch him carefully. My grandson is coming today. I'm so thrilled you wrote right back. Hardee is the county."

Hurray for Grandmothers!

Sixty-five Sphingidae species are listed for Florida on the U.S.G.S. website. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Hardee County (No species are reported on U.S.G.S. as of April 15, 2008. Please do not interpret this as a criticism of the U.S.G.S. data. Their mandate is accuracy; mine is help. Their data from surrounding areas has greatly assisted me in assembling this tentative checklist.) It is hoped that this checklist, with the thumbnails and notes, will help you quickly identify the Sphingidae larvae you are likely to encounter.

A "WO" after the species name indicates that I have no confirmed reports of this species in Hardee County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present or might be present. I am not always able to do an id without a picture. Peggy's inclusion of a description of foodplant and habitat, along with description of the caterpillar are a great help.

A "USGS" indicates the moth is reported on the USGS website and/or in Lepidoptera of North America, #1. Distribution of Silkmoths (Saturniidae) and Hawkmoths (Sphingidae) of Eastern North America, an excellent little booklet available through Paul Opler.

Please help me develop this list with improved, documented accuracy by sending sightings (species, date, location), preferably with an electronic image, via email to Bill Oehlke.

The night-blooming moon flower will attract many Sphingidae at dusk and into the night.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Agrius cingulata, WO Pink-spotted hawkmoth, Larvae feed on plants in the Convolvulaceae family, especially Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato) and in the Solanaceae family, especially (Datura) (jimsonweed) and related plants in the Americas. There is also a brown form. Look for very large, dark spiracular circles. Ceratomia amyntor WO, the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and cherry (Prunus). There are both green and brown forms. The four horns near the head are diagnostic. Ceratomia catalpae WO, the Catalpa Sphinx Young caterpillars feed gregariously on Catalpa species (Catalpa bignoniodes and C. speciosa) in the Bignoniaceae family, skeletonizing the foliage. Larvae are mostly white in early instars. Ceratomia undulosa WO, the Waved Sphinx Fraxinus, Ligustrum, Quercus, Crataegus and Chionanthus virginicus are listed as hosts. In the fifth instar, the spiracular ovals are decidedly red and the anal horn is off-white to pinkish laterally. Cocytius antaeus, WO The Giant Sphinx, Mature caterpillars are very large. In the last instars, larvae are uniform green with a dark purple center back line and a very sharp white posterior side slash with some dark green on both sides of it. Dolba hyloeus WO, the Pawpaw Sphinx Larvae feed on pawpaw (Asimina triloba), littleleaf sweetfern (Myrica aspleniifolia), possum haw (Ilex decidua), and inkberry (Ilex glabra) as well as Tall Gallberry Holly (Ilex coriacea). Louis Handfield reports larvae probably feed on Ilex verticellata in Quebec. Isoparce cupressi WO, Cypress or Baldcypress Sphinx. Larvae feed on needles of baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) at night and pupate in shallow underground burrows where second generation overwinters. Lapara coniferarum WO, the Southern Pine Sphinx Larvae feed upon various pine species, including loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and longleaf pine (P. pinaster). They are well camouflaged and are without an anal horn. Manduca quinquemaculata WO, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth The caterpillars are called Tomato Hornworms and each has a black horn at the end of the abdomen. Larvae feed on potato, tobacco, tomato, and other plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae). Manduca rustica WO, the Rustic Sphinx The caterpillar has numerous white nodules on top of the thorax and seven pairs of oblique, blue-gray stripes along the side of the body. The horn is white at the base and blue-gray at the tip. Many hosts are utilized. Manduca sexta WO, the Carolina Sphinx Tobacco Hornworms, equipped with a red-tipped horn at the end of the abdomen, are true gluttons and feed on tobacco and tomato, and occasionally potato and pepper crops and other plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae). Paratrea plebeja WO, the Plebeian Sphinx Preferred hosts are common trumpetcreeper (Campsis radicans), Florida yellow-trumpet (Tecoma stans), lilac (Syringa species), and passionflower (Passiflora species). The anal horn is blue, preceded by a yellow dash. Sphinx chersis WO, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx: The larvae are pale bluish green. The head has a pair of yellow lateral bands meeting at the apex. The oblique, lateral stripes are pale and bordered anteriorly with a darker green. Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen. Sphinx gordius WO, the Apple Sphinx Larval hosts are apple (Malus), sweetfern (Myrica), Carolina rose (Rosa carolina), blueberry and huckleberry (Vaccinium), white spruce (Picea glauca), American larch (Larix laricina), and alder (Alnus). Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis WO, the Walnut Sphinx Amorpha juglandis larvae feed upon Walnut and butternut (Juglans), hickory (Carya), alder (Alnus), beech (Fagus), hazelnut (Corylus), and hop-hornbeam (Ostrya). Pachysphinx modesta WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx Larvae feed on poplars and cottonwood. Paonias excaecata WO, the Blinded Sphinx Larvae accept willows, birches, and cherries. I have also found them in the wild on oak in eastern Canada. The skin is very granulose. Paonias myops WO, the Small-eyed Sphinx The larvae depicted is probably third instar. There may be more red spotting on the sides as larvae mature. Smerinthus jamaicensis WO, the Twin-spotted Sphinx Larvae feed upon many forest trees including birches and cherries, but are expecially fond of poplars and willows. Red markings on sides vary greatly from specimen to specimen. Protambulyx strigilis WO, the Streaked Sphinx: In Florida larvae have been found on Schinus terebinthefolia. Later instars hide at the base of a leaf or near the base of the tree's trunk when not feeding (all larvae were found on saplings). Early instar larvae have extremely pointed head capsules and sometimes have difficulty shedding their head capsules. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: Aellopos tantalus WO, the Tantalus Sphinx. Larvae feed on seven year apple, Casasia clusiifolia, and probably other plants in the madder family. They have been reported on Indigo-berry (Randia aculeata). Enyo lugubris, the Mournful Sphinx, WO The body and wings are dark brown. The forewing has a large black patch covering most of the outer half of the wing. There is a pale tan cell spot (dark inner pupil), and a fairly straight median line to the inside of the cell spot. Erinnyis alope WO, the Alope Sphinx. Larvae have several forms and feed on papaya (Carica papaya), nettlespurge (Jatropha), and allamanda (Allamanda). Erinnyis ello WO, the Ello Sphinx Larvae feed on papaya (Carica papaya), Cnidoscolus angustidens, poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), guava (Psidium species) and saffron plum (Bumelia angustifolia/Bumelia celastrina). Manilkara bahamensis, Willow Bustic (Bumelia salicifolia) and Painted Leaf (Poinsettia heterophylla) are also hosts. Nice socks! Larvae show considerable variation. Erinnyis obscura, the Obscure Sphinx, WO Larvae feed on Rauvolfia ligustrina, Rauvolfia tetraphylla, Stemmadenia obovata, Philibertia, Cynanchum, papaya (Carica papaya), Asclepiadaceae, Blepharodon mucronatum, White vine (Sarcostemma clausum) and Morrenia odorata. rare Hemaris thysbe WO, the Hummingbird Clearwing There is also an orangey-pink prepupal form. The lateral line runs from S1 to the blue horn. Hemaris thysbe larvae feed on viburnum and related plants. Hemaris diffinis WO, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth Larval host plants include Snowberry (Symphoricarpos), honeysuckle (Lonicera), Coralberry, viburnums, Blue Dogbane (Apocynum) and dwarf bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera). Horn is black with a yellow base. Hemaris gracilis WO, the Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing Larval foods are blueberries including low bush blueberry (Vaccinium vacillans), and laurel (Kalmia), all in the heath family (Ericaceae). Madoryx p. pseudothyreus BAMONA, the False-windowed Sphinx This species is probably limited to Cuba, being replaced by subspecies floridensis in southern Florida and subspecies bahamensis in the Bahamas. In Florida larvae have been found on Black Mangrove (Avicennia germinans), and they are very similar to the larva of subspecies Madoryx pseudothyreus bahamensis as well as the nominate subspecies. Madoryx pseudothyreus floridensis , the Floridean False-windowed Sphinx. Females possibly?? lay eggs on evening primrose (Onagraceae). In southern Florida Madoryx pseudothyreus floridensis larvae have been found on Black Mangrove (Avicennia germinans). The image to the left is from Florida and represents the subspecies floridensis. Larvae spin a silken cocoon, affixed to a mangrove branch above ground. Pachylia ficus, the Fig Sphinx, WO Females feed and lay eggs on fig leaves, especially Strangler Fig (Ficus aurea). Ficus carica, Ficus microcarpa, Ficus religiosa, Ficus pumila, Ficus gamelleira, Ficus prinoides, Ficus pumila and Artocarpus integrifolia are also listed as hosts. The extreme variability of larvae is shown to the left. The few images that have been sent to me for identification help are usually as per the upper image. Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon WO, the Achemon Sphinx Larvae feed upon Grape (Vitis), Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) and other vines and ivies (Ampelopsis). Larvae occur in both a light (green) form and a darker (tan/brown) form. Note six "segmented" oblique lines. Eumorpha fasciatus PD, the Banded Sphinx Larvae feed upon primrose-willow, Ludwigia (water primrose) and other plants in the evening primrose family. This hornless larva is highly variable. Look for large, dark spiracular circles and a dark line in the center of the back. Eumorpha fasciatus, mature larva, April 14, 2008, Peggy Dunn Eumorpha labruscae WO, the Gaudy Sphinx There is a striking resemblance to a snake's head and eye, and a flattening of the thoracic segments when the head is not retracted. In Florida larvae have been found on Possum Vine (Cissus sicyoides). Cissus incisa, Cissus verticillata, Eupatorium odoratum, Ludwigia, Magnolia, Parthenocissus and Vitis vinifera are all reported hosts. Eumorpha pandorus WO, the Pandorus Sphinx If you have Grape or Virginia Creeper nearby, then you might encounter this species. Note the five large white ovals. There are orangey-brown and green forms also. Eumorpha vitis WO, the Vine Sphinx Eumorpha vitis vitis larvae feed upon grape foliage (Vitis) and other vines (Cissus): Cissus pseudosicyoides and Cissus rhombifolia and Cissus sicycoides. I suspect there would be a brown form. Note five, smooth, narrow, oblique white lines. Macroglossini tribe: Amphion floridensis WO, the Nessus Sphinix In additon to Virginia creeper larvae accept Grape (Vitis), ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), and cayenne pepper (Capsicum). Larvae are green until the final instar. Darapsa choerilus WO, the Azalea Sphinx Larvae feed on Azalea and Viburnum and progress very rapidly. The larva to the left on Viburnum cassinoides is getting ready to pupate. Color change from green to light burgundy-brown indicates pupation is imminent. Darapsa myron WO, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx If you have the foodplants indicated in the common names, you probably have this species nearby. The lower wings are orange. Larvae feed on Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), Grape (Vitis), Ampelopsis, and Viburnum. Darapsa versicolor WO, the Hydrangea Sphinx Larvae turn a deep chocolate brown just prior to pupation, and the "horn" on the tail also turns downward as pupation draws near. Darapsa versicolor larvae feed on Smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), and waterwillow (Decodon verticillatus). Hyles lineata WO, the White-lined Sphinx Larvae are highly varied and feed on a great diversity of plants including willow weed (Epilobium), four o'clock (Mirabilis), apple (Malus), evening primrose (Oenothera), elm (Ulmus), grape (Vitis), tomato (Lycopersicon), purslane (Portulaca), and Fuschia. All larvae seem, however, to have the red/black swellings split by dorso-lateral lines. Sphecodina abbottii WO, the Abbott's Sphinx Larvae feed at night on grape (Vitis) and ampelopsis (Ampelopsis) and hide on the bark of their host plants during the day. Virginia creeper would also be a suitable host. There is also a dark form without the green patches. Note the "raised eye", replacing the anal horn. Xylophanes tersa WO, the Tersa Sphinx Larvae also feed on Borreria, Catalpa and Manettia spp. and Smooth buttonplant (Spermacoce glabra) and starclusters (Pentas species). They are also recorded on joe-pie weed and Hamelia patens and on Hedoydis nigricans. The green form may be more common. Xylophanes pluto WO, the Pluto Sphinx Larvae feed on Milkberry (Chiococca species), Firebush (Hamelia patens), Indian Mulberry (Morinda royoc) and Erythroxylon species. There are three known colour morphs: green, brown, and purple/brown.

Use your browser "Back" button to return to the previous page.

This page is brought to you by Bill Oehlke and the WLSS. Pages are on space rented from Bizland. If you would like to become a "Patron of the Sphingidae Site", contact Bill.

Please send sightings/images to Bill. I will do my best to respond to requests for identification help.