Lyon County, Kansas
Sphingidae Larvae

Paratrea plebeja, Emporia (Lyon County) Kansas, courtesy of Antonia Felix,
id by Bill Oehlke, confirmed by James P. Tuttle.

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 Antonia Felix who sent me the picture of the Paratrea plebeja larva, feeding on a vine on her porch, at the top of this page.

August 26, 2007, Antonia writes, "I enjoyed finding your site and would love to hear from you to help me identify the sphinx caterpillar I found among the vines on my porch this morning. I'm down in eastern Kansas in the middle of the U.S. He looks much like the Sphinx poecila, of which you have a photo on your site. What do you think? Thanks for your time."

I explained to Antonia that many of the Sphingidae larvae are quite similar, and that the range of Sphinx poecila is further to the north. I also suggested that the vines on her porch are possibly common trumpetcreeper (Campsis radicans), one of the known larval hosts. I indicated my best guess would be Paratrea plebeja.

Antonia responded, "The caterpillar disappeared later that day after I returned him to the bushes. I would like to have kept him in some kind of terrarium to watch his transformation, but I couldn't put one together quickly and I didn't want to harm him by keeping him out of his habitat. I was fascinated to learn that the sphinx moth gets its name from the upright stance that the caterpillar performs when it's startled. My guy did that exact pose while I had him in in a bowl of leaves for a few hours, and I thought at the time that it was an unusual behavior. Now that I know that this is typical and gives the moth its name, I feel lucky to have seen it."

I replied, "The Sphingidae larvae excavate subterranean chambers and pupate underground. Your larva was full grown and probably has 'tunneled under' ".

Twenty-two Sphingidae species are listed for Kansas on the U.S.G.S. website. I have added a few which I think might also be present. Not all of the species are anticipated (one, Paonias excaecata, listed on USGS as of August 2007) in Lyon County in central eastern Kansas. It is hoped that this checklist, with the thumbnails and notes, will help you quickly identify the caterpillars (larvae) you are likely to encounter.

A "WO" indicates the moth is not reported on the USGS website and/or in Lepidoptera of North America, #1, but I (William Oehlke) suspect it is likely present.

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.

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. generally more eastern species Ceratomia hageni WO/, Hagen's Sphinx or Osage Orange Sphinx Larvae feed on osage orange (Maclura pomifera), and they have a granulous appearance with variable amounts of purple along the oblique white stripes. 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. Lintneria eremitoides WO. Larval hosts are Sage (Salvia species). The Lintneria larvae will most often be encountered on Lamiaceae: Salvia (Sage), Mentha (Mints), Monarda (Beebalm) and Hyptis (Bushmints); Verbenaceae: Verbena and Lantana camara (shrub verbenas or lantanas). One is even more likely to discover larvae feeding in the evening or after dark. Manduca quinquemaculatus 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 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 AF , 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, often preceded by a yellow dash. The head is entirely green, without lateral bands of S. chersis. Paratrea plebeja larva, Emporia, August 26, 2007, Antonia Felix 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 drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx Sphinx drupiferarum larvae hide in the day and feed primarily on cherry, plum, and apple at night. Larvae have been found on Amelanchier nantuckensis in Massachusetts and have been reared to pupation in Michigan on Prunus serotina from eggs readily oviposited by a female. possibly Sphinx vashti WO, the Snowberry Sphinx Larvae feed on the common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) and on coralberry (S. orbiculatus). Note the two golden lines of slightly raised bumps, one just behind the head, the other on the thorax. 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 USGS, the Blinded Sphinx Larvae accept willows, birches, and cherries. I have also found them in the wild on oak in eastern Canada. generally more eastern species Paonias myops WO, the Small-eyed Sphinx Wild cherry species are the favorites as larval foodplants, but eggs will also be deposited on birches and other forest trees. To the left a second or third instar larva rests on pin cherry. The "red heart" marking readily identifies this species. There can be varying degrees of lateral red markings. 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. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: 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 if presnet 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 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. generally more eastern species; maybe 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 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. generally more eastern species 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 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. Deidamia inscriptum WO, the Lettered Sphinx Females lay translucent green eggs singly on leaves of the host plant. Grape (Vitis), ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus) all serve as larval hosts. 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. Proserpinus juanita WO, the Juanita Sphinx Larvae feed on (Onagraceae) including evening primrose (Oenothera), gaura (Gaura), and willow weed (Epilobium). rare 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. generally more eastern species

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