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Agrius cingulata, WO, Pink-spotted hawkmoth.
Plants in Convolvulaceae family, Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato); in Solanaceae family,
(Datura) (jimsonweed) and related plants. here is also brown form. Look for very large, dark
spiracular circles.
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Ceratomia amyntor
WO, the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx.
Caterpillars show both brown and green forms and are unmistakeable
due to four horns on the thorax (near the head).
Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and
cherry (Prunus). |
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Ceratomia catalpae WO,
the Catalpa Sphinx:
This caterpillar is one of the few North American Sphingidae that
feed in large groups. Colouration is distinctive. The larvae
are much more spectacular than the moths. Catalpa is the larval host. |
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Ceratomia undulosa
WO, the Waved Sphinx:
Note the pinkish-orange tail, spiracles outlined in red and the cream
stripes on the head.
The dramatic color change from the dorsal
yellow-green to the lateral light greyish-blue is not always
as intense as in this image.
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Dolba hyloeus
WO, the Pawpaw Sphinx:
Note the smooth skin, blue-black horn and small black spiracles.
Pawpaw is the primary host. Littleleaf sweetfern, possum haw,
inkberry, tall gallberry holly and others are also utilized.
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Lapara bombycoides
WO, the
Northern Pine Sphinx:
This caterpillar is also without the anal horn and feeds on pines.
The long stripes and reddish brown afford great camouflage.
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Lapara coniferarum
WO, the Southern Pine Sphinx:
This caterpillar is also without the anal horn and feeds on pines.
The long stripes and reddish brown afford great camouflage.
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Lintneria eremitus
WO, the
Hermit Sphinx: Note triangular bump on the thorax.
Larval hosts are various species of beebalm (Monarda), mints (Mentha), bugleweed (Lycopis), and sage (Salvia).
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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.
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Manduca quinquemaculatus
WO,
the Five-spotted Hawkmoth:
Note the solid black horn and dark spiracular rings. In addition to the white
oblique lines, there are fainter white rings, especially on the back.
I suspect if you grow tomatoes, you are likely to encounter it.
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Manduca rustica
WO, the Rustic Sphinx:
Note the green horn, raised white bumps and strong dark lines
anterior to the white ones. unlikely as a larva
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Manduca sexta
WO, the Carolina Sphinx:
Note the red horn and black dots anterior to the white oblique lines.
If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it.
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Paratrea plebeja
WO, Plebeian Sphinx: Larvae feed at night, hiding on the underside of stems during the
day. Preferred hosts are common trumpetcreeper (Campsis radicans),
Florida yellow-trumpet (Tecoma stans), lilac
(Syringa species), and passionflower (Passiflora species). Questionable
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Sphinx chersis
WO,
the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx: Note pale blue horn and the creamy-white stripes on head.
The yellow form has a red horn. Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry and quaking aspen.
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Sphinx drupiferarum
WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx:
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. Note purple oblique lines.
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Sphinx franckii
WO, Franck's Sphinx Moth:
Larvae feed exclusively on various species of ash (Fraxinus).
Raised, pointed bumps, especially near the head and thorax give this
caterpillar a reptilian appearance.
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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).
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Sphinx kalmiae WO, the Laurel Sphinx:
In the final instar, the black on the head, lateral lines, horn and on abdominal
legs is diagnostic.Larvae feed primarily on lilac and fringe. |
Smerinthini Tribe:
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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).
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Pachysphinx modesta WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx:
This moth is not officially recorded in yourcounty. It is fond of poplars and
willows. maybe |
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Paonias astylus
WO, the Huckleberry Sphinx: Blueberry and huckleberry (Vaccinium), cherries (Prunus) and
willows (Salix) are the favorites as larval foodplants. |
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Paonias excaecata WO, Blinded Sphinx:
Larvae accept willows, birches, and cherries. I have also found them in the wild on oak in eastern Canada.
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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. There are varying degrees in the amount of red markings along the sides. |
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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:
See Hemaris comparison to help distinguish the next three species.
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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. |
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Hemaris diffinis WO, Snowberry Clearwing; Bumblebee Moth:
Snowberry (Symphoricarpos), honeysuckle (Lonicera), Coralberry, viburnums, Blue Dogbane
(Apocynum), dwarf bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera). Horn black; yellow base.
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Hemaris gracilis WO, the Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing:
Hemaris gracilis is distinguished from similar species by a pair of red-brown bands on the undersides of the thorax, which varies from
green to yellow-green dorsally and sometimes brown with white underneath. They have a red abdomen. unlikely
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Philampelini tribe:
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Eumorpha achemon WO, 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.
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Eumorpha fasciatus WO, the Banded Sphinx:
Larvae feed upon primrose-willow, Ludwigia (water primrose) and other plants in the evening primrose family (Onagraceae). Grape family members
also serve as larval hosts. |
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Eumorpha pandorus
EP, 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.
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Eumorpha pandorus adult moth, Elkview Shores, July 20, 2014, Elizabeth Pasquarello
Macroglossini tribe:
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Amphion floridensis WO, Nessus Sphinix:
In additon to Virginia creeper larvae accept Grape (Vitis), ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), and cayenne pepper (Capsicum).
Larvae are green until the final instar. |
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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. |
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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.
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Darapsa versicolor WO, the Hydrangea Sphinx:
Larvae feed on Smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), and waterwillow
(Decodon verticillatus). Note small head which can be retracted into the thorax. |
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Deidamia inscriptum WO, 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. |
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Hyles lineata WO, White-lined Sphinx:
Highly varied; feed on 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), Fuschia.All larvae seem, however, to have the red/black swellings split by dorso-lateral lines. |
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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.
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Xylophanes tersa WO, the Tersa Sphinx:
Larvae 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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