Lake County, Florida, and other Central Florida Counties:
Pasco; Sumter; Osceola; Indian River
Sphingidae Larva

Manduca rustica fifth instar on sweet almond (Aloysia virgata),
Dora, Lake County, Florida, June 25, 2018, courtesy of Taylor Jones.

Manduca rustica fifth instar on sweet almond (Aloysia virgata),
Dora, Lake County, Florida, June 25, 2018, courtesy of Taylor Jones

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 Taylor Jones. Taylor found the Manduca rustica caterpillar depicted above.

Taylor writes writes, "Hi Bill,

"A few weeks ago, tersa sphinx larvae were nibbling the bloom heads off my penta plants, leaving the foliage intact. Took me awhile to spot them, or even understand what was happening. I was seeing fewer and fewer blooms -- odd since pentas bloom without letup -- but there was little or no damage to the leaves. Finally, I caught one of the culprits red-handed, and he/she was not alone.

"And this afternoon, I suddenly noticed a very large sphinx larva on my sweet almond bush (Aloysia virgata). As this plant does not stand alone, it took me awhile to realize that the leaves were being summarily stripped from the bush's long stems.

"The caterpillar is 8 cm, so I'm hoping it's nearly mature. Sweet almond attracts a lot of pollinators, and the blooms have a lovely vanilla/almond fragrance.

"If the caterpillar is in its final instar, I might snip some of the almond bush and let it finish up in my cocoon cage. It's already done enough damage in the garden..."

I reply, "Manduca rustica is found throughout Florida, and I see this now on the rustica page: 'Andy Warren writes, Aloysia virgata (Sweet Almond Bush, Incense Bush of Verbenaceae family) is a popular nectar plant in butterfly gardens in Florida. (I think it is originally a South American plant). Anyway, I just found a last instar larva of Manduca rustica on one of my A. virgata plants, after the sucker defoliated a couple of branches!'"

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

Sixty-six Sphingidae species are listed for Florida on the BAMONA website as of June 26, 2018. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Lake County (Fifteen species are reported on BAMONA as of June 26, 2018. Please do not interpret this as a criticism of the BAMONA 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 Lake County or in nearby central Florida Counties, 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.

A "BAMONA" indicates the moth is reported in Lake County 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.

Many thanks to Taylor Jones who also provides the following image of a Xylophanes tersa larva.

Xylophanes tersa on red pentas, Mount Dora, Lake County, Florida,
June 8, 2018, courtesy of Taylor Jones.

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

Lake County: Agrius cingulata; Manduca rustica; Manduca sexta; Amorpha juglandis; Protambulyx strigilis; Enyo lugubris; Erinnyis obscura; Erinnyis alope; Eumorpha achemon; Eumorpha fasciatus; Eumorpha labruscae; Eumorpha pandorus; Darapsa myron; Hyles lineata; Xylophanes tersa.

Pasco: Agrius cingulata; Manduca sexta; Paonias excaecata; Protambulyx strigilis; Erinnyis alope; Hemaris thysbe; Pseudosphinx tetrio; Eumorpha fasciatus; Eumorpha labruscae; Xylophanes tersa;

Osceola: Isoparce cupressi; Enyo lugubris; Erinnyis ello; Hemaris thysbe; Eumorpha fasciatus.

Sumter: Manduca rustica; Enyo lugubris; Erinnyis alope; Eumorpha fasciatus.

Indian River: Manduca rustica; Erinnyis ello; Eumorpha fasciatus; Xylophanes tersa.

Visit Florida Sphingidae to see pictoral 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.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Agrius cingulata, Lake/Pasco Pink-spotted hawkmoth. Plants in Convolvulaceae family, Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato); in Solanaceae family, especially (Datura) (jimsonweed), related plants. 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. (unlikely, more northerly) Ceratomia catalpae WO, 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, 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 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. (unlikely in larval stage, possible adult stray) Dolba hyloeus WO, 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 Osceola, 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 jasminearum WO, the Ash Sphinx. Larvae feed on ash in the Fraxinus genus. Syringa and Ulmus have also been reported. Note the black anal horn. Manduca quinquemaculatus (Lake), 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 (Lake/TJ)/Sumter/Indian River, the Rustic Sphinx. Larva has numerous white nodules on top of thorax and seven pairs of oblique, blue-gray stripes along side of body. Horn is white at base and blue-gray at tip. Many hosts are utilized. Manduca sexta /Pasco, 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, 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 gordius WO, 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 Lake, Walnut Sphinx. Amorpha juglandis larvae feed upon Walnut and butternut (Juglans), hickory (Carya), alder (Alnus), beech (Fagus), hazelnut (Corylus), and hop-hornbeam (Ostrya). Paonias excaecata /Pasco, 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. Protambulyx strigilis Lake//Pasco, Streaked Sphinx: Larvae have been found on S. terebinthefolia. Later instars hide at base of leaf or near base of 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 capsules. (generally more southerly) Pseudosphinx tetrio, the Tetrio Sphinx, Pasco The brightly coloured caterpillar is easy to find in gardens. The larva are big and colourful and easily identified. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: Enyo lugubris, the Mournful Sphinx, Lake/ Osceola/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. Erinnyis alope Lake//Pasco/Sumter, Alope Sphinx. Larvae have several forms and feed on papaya (Carica papaya), nettlespurge (Jatropha), and allamanda (Allamanda). Erinnyis ello Osceola/Indian River, 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, Lake. 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 /Pasco/ Osceola, 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 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). 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. (unlikely, more southerly) Phryxus caicus, the Caicus Sphinx, WO. Larvae feed on Mesechites trifida and probably on other members of Apocynaceae (Dogbane family: Echites). Larvae have been reported on mangrove rubber vine (Rhabdadenia biflora). (unlikely in larval stage, more southerly) Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon Lake, 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 Lake/Pasco/Sumter/Indian River, 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 intermedia WO, Intermediate Sphinx. Eumorpha intermedia larvae feed upon peppervine, Ampelopsis arborea. Possibly they will also accept grape (Vitis species), but so far no records of that host have been reported to my knowledge. They like to remain well hidden within tangle of vines and probably feed mostly at night. Eumorpha labruscae Lake/Pasco, Gaudy Sphinx. Striking resemblance to snake's head and eye, and flattening of thoracic segments when head is not retracted. Larvae feed on Possum Vine (Cissus sicyoides). Cissus incisa, Cissus verticillata, Eupatorium odoratum, Ludwigia, Magnolia, Parthenocissus and Vitis vinifera are also utilized. Eumorpha pandorus Lake, 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, 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. (unlikely, more southerly) 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 Lake, 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). Deidamia inscriptum WO, generally more northerly, the Lettered Sphinx Grape (Vitis), ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus) all serve as larval hosts. The alternating yellow and greyish-green rings across the back distinguish this larva. Hyles lineata Lake, 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. (unlikely, more northerly) 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. (unlikely, more southerly) Xylophanes tersa Lake/TJ//Pasco/Indian River, 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.

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