Lake County, Florida, and Nearby Counties:
Citrus; Hernando, Sumter, Paso
Sphingidae

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Jim Willette who sent me the image of Eumorpha fasciatus at the top of this page.

Sixty-five Sphingidae species are listed for Florida on the U.S.G.S. website (now BAMONA). Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Lake County (Eight species are reported on BAMONA as of July 22, 2013). It is hoped that this checklist, with the thumbnails and notes, will help you quickly identify the moths you are likely to encounter.

A "WO" after the species name indicates that I have no confirmed reports of this species in Lake County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present or might be present.

A "BAMONA" indicates the moth is reported on the BAMONA 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.

Enyo lugubris female, Mount Dora, Lake County, Florida,
October 23, 2018, courtesy of Taylor Jones.

Enyo lugubris male, Mount Dora, Lake County, Florida,
November 15, 2018, courtesy of Taylor Jones.

Taylor Jones also regularly encounters Manduca rustica and Xylophanes tersa larvae in his yard.

Visit Lake County Sphingidae Larvae: Caterpillars.

Visit Florida Sphingidae to see pctoral checklists of adult moths and larvae from other Florida Counties.

Visit Sphingidae of the Americas for country by country checklists with pictures and information about larvae and adult Sphingidae in North, Central and South America.

Vist North American Catocala: Underwing Moths.

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

Many thanks to Jenny Sommerfeld who sends the following images from Hernando County. Jenny found the pupa on some sandy soil beneath some pine trees. A few days later the female emerged, and she deposited at least one egg before her release.

Lapara coniferarum pupa, 40mm long, Hernando County, Florida,
courtesy of Jenny Sommerfeld.

Lapara coniferarum female, Hernando County, Florida,
courtesy of Jenny Sommerfeld.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Agrius cingulata, WO/Citrus/Hernando/Pasco Pink-spotted hawkmoth: This species is a strong migrant and adults nectar from deep-throated flowers including moonflower (Calonyction aculeatum), morning glory (Convolvulus), honey suckle (Lonicera) and petunia (Petunia species). Ceratomia amyntor WO/Hernando, the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx: The upperside of the forewing is brown with dark brown and white markings including a white costal area near the wing base, dark streaks along the veins, and a white spot in the cell. Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and cherry (Prunus). unlikely, generally more northerly Ceratomia catalpae WO, the Catalpa Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is yellowish brown with no white markings, but there are indistinct black lines and dashes. The cell spot is gray with a black outline. The larvae feed in large groups and are much more spectacular than the moths. Catalpa is the larval host. Ceratomia undulosa WO/Hernando, the Waved Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is pale brownish gray with wavy black and white lines and a black-outlined white cell spot. The upperside of the hindwing is gray with diffuse darker bands. Cocytius antaeus, WO The Giant Sphinx, The upperside of the forewing is a blurry yellowish gray. The upperside of the hindwing is dark gray with yellow at the base and a dark "tooth" projecting from the margin into the translucent area between each vein. possible, unlikely stray from southern Florida Dolba hyloeus WO, the Pawpaw Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is dark brown with a dusting of white scales. Some moths have patches of reddish or yellowish brown on the wings. Isoparce cupressi WO/Hernando, the Cypress or Baldcypress Sphinx Isoparce cupressi, the rare Cypress Sphinx, flies in Cypress swamps in Georgia (specimen type locality), and from Maryland to Texas. It has been reported in Mexico. Lapara coniferarum WO/Hernando, the Southern Pine Sphinx The upperside is of the forewing is gray with two (sometimes one or three) black dashes near the wing center; other markings are usually diffuse. The upperside of the hindwing is a uniform brown-gray. If you've got pines, this species is likely present. Manduca jasminearum WO, the Ash Sphinx The upperside of forewing is gray to grayish brown with a black line running from the middle of the costa to the middle of the outer margin; the line may be broken near the margin. There is a splash of brown around the cell spot. Manduca quinquemaculatus WO/Citrus, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth If you grow tomatoes, you might encounter Manduca quinquemaculata. Manduca rustica BAMONATJ/Hernando/Sumter, the Rustic Sphinx Look for three large yellow spots on each side of the abdomen. The upperside of the forewing is yellowish brown to deep chocolate brown with a dusting of white scales and zigzagged black and white lines. Manduca sexta BAMONA/Citrus/Hernando/Pasco, the Carolina Sphinx If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered Manduca sexta in the larval stage. Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant. Neococytius cluentius WO, the Cluentius Sphinx If present, it would only be a very rare stray from a more southerly location. Paratrea plebeja WO, the Plebeian Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is gray with indistinct black and white markings. There is a series of black dashes from the base to the tip, and a small white cell spot. Sphinx gordius WO, the Apple Sphinx The upperside of the forewing ranges from brown with black borders through brownish gray with paler borders to pale gray with no borders. Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis WO/Hernando, the Walnut Sphinx: Adults are highly variable; sometimes wings of an individual may be all one color or may have several colors, ranging from pale to dark brown, and may have a white or pink tinge. Patterns range from faint to pronounced. See the file for the different female. Paonias excaecata WO/Pasco, the Blinded Sphinx Named for the dull grey-blue spot (minus dark pupil) in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution in the eastern United States. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as southern Florida. Paonias myops WO, the Small-eyed Sphinx Named for the small eye-spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably present in Orange County. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as southern Florida. Smerinthus jamaicensis WO, generally more northerly, the Twin-spotted Sphinx This moth is widely distributed and fairly common. Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida. slight possibility Protambulyx strigilis WO/Pasco, the Streaked Sphinx: Fw inner margin indented. Fw upperside: pale yellowish gray in pale form and reddish brown in dark form. Both forms have a distinct submarginal line and a dark band along indentation in the inner margin. Hw upperside is deep golden orange with dark bands. slight possibility, generally more southerly Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: Aellopos tantalus WO, the Tantalus Sphinx The body is reddish brown with a wide white band across the abdomen. The forewing upperside is reddish brown with a black cell spot and 3 white spots near the gray marginal area. A pale streak runs from the cell spot to the inner margin of the wing. Enyo lugubris, the Mournful Sphinx, BAMONA/TJ/Citrus/Hernando/Sumter: 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. Enyo lugubris adult, Mount Dora, lake County, November 15, 2018, Taylor Jones. Erinnyis alope BAMONA/Hernando/Pasco/Sumter, the Alope Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is dark brown with short yellowish streaks on the forward half and wavy yellowish bands on the rear half. Erinnyis ello WO/Citrus, the Ello Sphinx The abdomen has very distinct gray and black bands. The female's forewing upperside is pale gray with a few dark dots near the outer margin. Erinnyis obscura, the Obscure Sphinx, WO During the night adults nectar at flowers, including bouncing bet (Saponaria officinalis) and Asystasia gangetica beginning at dusk. July and August are flight times in the southern states. possibility See Hemaris comparison to help distinguish the next three species. Hemaris thysbe WO/Hernando/Pasco, the Hummingbird Clearwing It is not difficult to see why many gardeners would mistake an Hemaris thysbe moth for a small hummingbird as it hovers, sipping nectar from flowers through a long feeding tube. Hemaris gracilis WO/Hernando, the Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing This day-flying moth is less common and has not been recorded in Lake County, but it may be present. Phryxus caicus, the Caicus Sphinx, WO The abdomen of the Caicus sphinx has distinct black and tan bands. The upperside of the forewing is brown with a tan band along the inner margin and a thin tan streak in the middle of the wing. possible stray from further south Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon BAMONA, the Achemon Sphinx Larvae get large and feed on grape vines and Virginia creeper. Note the differences between this moth and the Pandorus Sphinx. Eumorpha fasciatusCitrus/Hernando/Pasco/Sumter, the Banded Sphinx The upperside of the moth is dark pinkish brown. Each forewing has a lighter brown band along the costa, and sharp pinkish white bands and streaks. Larvae feed upon primrose-willow, Ludwigia (water primrose) and other plants in the evening primrose family. Eumorpha fasciatus, Lady Lake, July 22, 2013, Eumorpha labruscae WO/Pasco, the Gaudy Sphinx The Gaudy Sphinx flies in America, and although primarily a tropical species, it has been taken as far north as Saskatchewan as a stray. possible stray Eumorpha pandorus BAMONA/Citrus, the Pandorus Sphinx If you have Grape or Virginia Creeper nearby, then you probably have this species. I often get asked to identify larvae from areas not previously reported. Pseudosphinx tetrio, the Tetrio Sphinx, Pasco The upperside of the forewing is dark brown with a dark spot at the base of the costa and blurry gray and white markings. The upperside of the hindwing is dark brown with white along the inner margin, and the lower half of the outer margin. big, colourful larva Macroglossini tribe: Amphion floridensis WO/Hernando, the Nessus Sphinix This day flier is widely distributed. If you have Virginia Creeper, you probably have the Nessus Sphinx. Two bright, distinct, narrow yellow bands are often visible on the abdomen. Darapsa choerilus WO/Hernando, the Azalea Sphinx The lower wings of this hawkmoth are a solid brownish-orange, matching the body colour. You will often see this species listed as Darapsa pholus, especially in older literature. Darapsa myron WO/Hernando, 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. There are also forms with orangey-brown or grey-brown forewings. Darapsa versicolor WO, the Hydrangea Sphinx If you have hydrangea growing near a stream, then you might have the Hydrangea Sphinx. Deidamia inscriptum Hernando, the Lettered Sphinx The moth's outer margin of the forewing is deeply scalloped. The upperside is light brown with dark brown markings. There is a small black and white spot near the tip. Grape (Vitis), ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus) all serve as larval hosts. Hyles lineata BAMONA/Citrus/Hernando, the White-lined Sphinx The forewing upperside is dark olive brown with paler brown along the costa and outer margin, a narrow tan band running from the wing tip to the base, and white streaks along the veins. Sphecodina abbottii WO, the Abbott's Sphinx This moth is very much under reported across the United States. It is a rapid day flier so is probably not in too many collections. Grape is a popular larval host. unlikely, more northerly Xylophanes pluto Citrus/Hernando, the Pluto Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is olive green with a paler median band and pale lines with purple shading along them. The upperside of the hindwing has a white spot surrounded by black at the base, a wide orangish yellow median band, and a brown to greenish band along the outer margin. The head and flared thorax of larva suggest the appearance of a snake. Xylophanes tersa BAMONA/TJ/Hernando/Pasco, the Tersa Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is pale brown with lavender-gray at the base and has dark brown lengthwise lines throughout. This moth is a strong migrant.

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.

Eggs of many North American species are offered during the spring and summer. Occasionally summer Actias luna and summer Antheraea polyphemus cocoons are available. Shipping to US destinations is done from with in the US.

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