East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, and
Nearby Louisiana Parishes
Sphingidae

Manduca sexta, Greenwell Springs, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana,
July, 2013, courtesy of Frannie Mathews.

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Frannie Mathews who sent me the image of Manduca sexta at the top of this page.

Frannie writes, "This BIG OLE' moth was IN A GARDEN THAT DEFINITELY HAD TOMATOES but no tobacco in July 2013 in Greenwell Springs, Louisiana."

Thirty-seven Sphingidae species are listed for Louisiana on the BAMONA website as of December 2013. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in East Baton Rouge Parish (Only five Sphingidae species are reported on BAMONA as of December 12, 2013). It is hoped that this checklist, with the thumbnails and notes, will help you quickly identify the moths you are likely to encounter.

Althouigh this list specifically references only the East Baton Rouge Parish data on BAMONA, this page also serves for a checklist of nearby parishes: Livingston; Point Coupee; West Baton Rouge; Iberville; West Feliciana; East Feliciana; St. Helena; Ascension.

A "WO" after the species name indicates that I have no confirmed reports of this species in your parish, 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.

Please also send your sightings to BAMONA, an excellent online resource.

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

Visit pictoral checklists for Adult Sphingidae Caterpillars of East Baton Rouge and Nearby Counties

Visit pictoral checklist for Underwing Moths (Catocala) of Louisiana.

Visit species-active checklists for Sphingidae in all US states, all Canadian provinces and all of Mexico, and all Central American and South American Countries

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Agrius cingulata, Pink-spotted hawkmoth, WO: Strong migrant; adults nectar from deep-throated flowers including moonflower (Calonyction aculeatum), morning glory (Convolvulus), honey suckle (Lonicera), petunia (Petunia species). Ceratomia amyntor WO, the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx: Brown with dark brown and white markings including white costal area near wing base, dark streaks along veins, white spot in cell. Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), cherry (Prunus). 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 hageni WO, Hagen's Sphinx or Osage Orange Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is gray with a green tint and has dark indistinct wavy lines, and pale gray patches at the wing tip and along the costa. Ceratomia undulosa WO, Waved Sphinx: Pale (sometmes dark) brownish gray with wavy black and white lines and black-outlined white cell spot. Hindwing is gray with diffuse darker bands. Dolba hyloeus WO, 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, Cypress or Baldcypress Sphinx: Rare Cypress Sphinx, flies in Cypress swamps in Georgia (specimen type locality), and from Maryland to Texas. It has been reported in Mexico. Lapara phaeobrachycerous WO, Pine Sphinx: If you have pines, you might have this species. slight possibility Lapara coniferarum BAMONA, outhern Pine Sphinx: 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. Lintneria eremitus WO, Hermit Sphinx: Gray-brown with wavy lines, black dashes, one or two small white spots near center of costa. Beebalm (Monarda), mints (Mentha), bugleweed (Lycopis), sage (Salvia). Manduca jasminearum WO, Ash Sphinx: Gray to grayish brown with black line running from middle of costa to middle of outer margin; line may be broken near margin. Splash of brown around cell spot. Manduca quinquemaculatus WO, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth I suspect if you grow tomatoes, you are likely to encounter Manduca quinquemaculata. Manduca rustica WO, Rustic Sphinx: Three large yellow spots on each side of abdomen. Yellowish brown to deep chocolate brown with dusting of white scales and zigzagged black and white lines. Manduca sexta FM, 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. Manduca sexta, Greenwell Springs, East Baton Rouge, Frannie Mathews. Paratrea plebeja WO, Plebeian Sphinx: 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 kalmiae WO, the Laurel Sphinx The lower forewings are predominantly brownish-yellow with a fairly wide dark bar along the inner margin. At rest the wings hug the body, giving the moth a long slender look. Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis WO, Walnut Sphinx: Highly variable; sometimes all one color or may have several colors, ranging from pale to dark brown, may have white or pink tinge. Patterns range from faint to pronounced. See the file for the female; she is different. Paonias astylus WO, Huckleberry Sphinx: Paonias astylus flies from March-September in Florida and from April-September in Louisiana. There is one brood northward from June-August. This appears to be an uncommon species. Paonias excaecata WO, Blinded Sphinx: Named for the dull grey-blue spot (minus dark pupil) in hindwing, has a wide distribution in eastern United States. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island; they are reported as far south as Florida. Paonias myops WO, Small-eyed Sphinx: Named for the small eye-spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in your parish. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Smerinthus jamaicensis WO, Twin-spotted Sphinx: This moth is widely distributed and fairly common. Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: Enyo lugubris, Mournful Sphinx, WO: Body/wings dark brown. FW: large black patch covering most of outer half of wing. Pale tan cell spot (dark inner pupil), and fairly straight median line to the inside of the cell spot. Erinnyis obscura, 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. remote possibility See Hemaris comparison to help distinguish the next two species. Hemaris thysbe WO, 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 diffinis WO, Snowberry Clearwing/Bumblebee Moth: Adults mimic bumblebees; quite variable. Wings basically clear, with dark brown to brownish-orange veins, bases, edges. Thorax: golden-brown to dark greenish-brown. Abdomen tends to be dark (black) with 1-2 yellow segments before tip. Pseudosphinx tetrio, Tetrio Sphinx, WO: 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. Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon WO, Achemon Sphinx: Larvae get large and feed on grape vines and Virginia creeper. Note the differences between this moth and the Pandorus Sphinx. Eumorpha fasciatus BAMONA, Banded Sphinx: Dark pinkish brown. Each forewing: lighter brown band along costa, sharp pinkish white bands and streaks. Larvae feed upon primrose-willow, Ludwigia (water primrose), other plants in evening primrose family. Eumorpha intermedia WO, Intermediate Sphinx: The Intermediate Sphinx Moth, (Eumorpha intermedia), (Wing span: 3 9/16 - 3 7/8 inches (9 - 9.8 cm)), flies in lower austral and subtropical lowlands in North Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and South Texas. posibility Eumorpha pandorus BAMONA, 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. Macroglossini tribe: Amphion floridensis WO, 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 BAMONA, 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, Virginia Creeper Sphinx/Grapevine Sphinx: If you have the foodplants indicated in the common names, you probably have this species nearby. The lower wings are orange. Darapsa versicolor WO, Hydrangea Sphinx: If you have hydrangea growing near a stream, then you might have the Hydrangea Sphinx. Deidamia inscriptum WO, Lettered Sphinx: Fw outer margin deeply scalloped. The upperside is light brown with dark brown markings. Small black and white spot near tip. Grape (Vitis), ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus) all serve as larval hosts. Hyles lineata WO, White-lined Sphinx: This species has strong migrating tendancies from much further south. There are records from New Hampshire and Maine. Proserpinus guarae WO, Proud Sphinx: Rare and possibly endangered Proud Sphinx flies from Texas and Louisiana east to northern Florida, north to Alabama, Missouri, northern Georgia, and South Carolina. slight possibility 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. Xylophanes tersa BAMONA, the Tersa Sphinx This moth is much more common to the south. It is a strong migrant, however, and may establish itself in Mobile County periodically.

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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