Hennepin County, Minnesota, and Other Central Eastern Counties:
Anoka; Chisago; Isanti; Kanabec; Mille Lacs; Morrison; Sherburne
Sphingidae Larvae

This page is dedicated to Melonie Robran who sends Sphecodina abbottii larvae images from Corcoran, Hennepin County, Minnesota, June 19, 2018.

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

Thirty-seven Sphingidae species are listed for Minnesota on the BAMONA website as of August 16, 2011; 19 as of July 4, 2018. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Hennepin County (Eight: [cingulata=adult stray], amyntor, chersis, modesta, thysbe, pandorus, floridensis, abbottii are reported on BAMONA as of August 16, 2011); add as of July 4, 2018: undulosa, quinquemaculatus, sexta, excaecata, kalmiae, diffinis, gracilis, achemon, inscriptum, euphorbiae, lineata..

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 your county, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth with its larvae are present or might be present. I have included many species not on the BAMONA list for Minnesota; I believe they are or might be present

A "BAMONA" indicates the moth is reported 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.

Anoka (9) Pachysphinx modesta; Ceratomia undulosa; Sphinx drupiferarum; Paonias myops; Paonias excaecata; Eumorpha pandorus; Hyles euphorbiae; Hyles lineata; Eumorpha achemon;
Chisago: (5) Ceratomia amyntor; Hemaris thysbe; Darapsa myron; Hyles gallii; Hyles lineata;
Isanti: (2) Manduca quinquemaculatus; Sphinx drupiferarum;
Kanabec: (2) Ceratomia amyntor; Smerinthus cerisyi;
Mille Lacs: none;
Morrison: (2) Pachysphinx modesta; Hyles lineata;
Sherburne: (5): Smerinthus cerisyi; Pachysphinx occidentalis; Hemaris thysbe; Eumorpha achemon; Eumorpha pandorus.

Please also report any sightings to BAMONA, an excellent online resource, via links in header or to the left.

Many thanks to Kathy Amborn who confirms the presence of the Four-horned Sphinx, Ceratomia amyntor in Anoka County.

Ceratomia amyntor final instar, pre-pupal larva,
Lino Lakes, Anoka County, Minnesota,
July 22, 2019, courtesy of Kathy Amborn, id by Bill Oehlke.

Travellers can vist Sphingidae of the Americas where there are pictoral checklists for each US state and each Canadian province as well as a checklist for Mexico and for eevery country in Central and South America.

Visit North American Catocala Underwing Moths from Canada and the US.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Ceratomia amyntor BAMONA: Hennepin/Anoka/Chisago/Kanabec, 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 amyntor mature larva, July 22, 2019, Lino Lakes, Kathy Amborn 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. Ceratomia undulosa BAMONA: Hennepin/Anoka, 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. 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. 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). Manduca quinquemaculatus BAMONA: Hennepin/Isanti, 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 BAMONA: Hennepin, 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. generally more southerly Sphinx canadensis WO, Sphinx canadensis, the Canadian Sphinx. This species is not common at lights, and is not often reported anywhere. Larval host may be exclusively black ash (Fraxinus nigra). Variable appearance but always with granulous (darker protrusions) on pinkish horn. Sphinx chersis BAMONA: Hennepin, 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 BAMONA: Hennepin/Anoka/Isanti, 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. 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). Sphinx kalmiae BAMONA: Hennepin, 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. Sphinx luscitiosa WO ??, the Canadian Sphinx or Clemen's Sphinx Larval hosts are willow (Salix), poplar (Populus), birch (Betula), apple (Malus), ash (Fraxinus), waxmyrtle (Morella), and northern bayberry. generally more northerly Sphinx poecila WO, the Poecila Sphinx If you have blueberries in the woods, then you probably have the Poecila Sphinx. 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. generally more westerly 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 BAMONA: Hennepin/Anoka/Sherburne/Morrison:, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx Larvae feed on poplars and cottonwood. Pachysphinx occidentalis is listed for Sherburne on BAMONA, but I think this is more likely the very similar Pachysphinx modesta. Paonias excaecata BAMONA: Hennepin/Anoka, the Blinded Sphinx Larvae accept willows, birches, and cherries. I have also found them in the wild on oak in eastern Canada. Paonias myops WO/Anoka, 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. Smerinthus cerisyi WO/Sherburne/Kanabec, Cerisy's Sphinx; Cerisyi larvae greatly resemble modesta larvae, both being pale green, with granular skin, pale lateral diagonal lines, faint red spiracular circles, and very pale longitudinal lines running from the head to a more pronounced anal diagonal line. Larvae have green heads bounded dorsally with a pale yellow inverted "V". 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 comparisons. Hemaris diffinis BAMONA: Hennepin, 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 gracilis BAMONA: Hennepin, Slender Clearwing; Graceful Clearwing. Blueberries including low bush blueberry (Vaccinium vacillans), laurel (Kalmia), in heath family (Ericaceae). range limit; generally more northerly Hemaris thysbe BAMONA: Hennepin//Chisago/Sherburne, 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. Philampelini Tribe: Eumorpha achemon BAMONA: Hennepin/Anoka/Sherburne, 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 BAMONA: Hennepin/Anoka/Sherburne, 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. Macroglossini tribe: Amphion floridensis BAMONA: Hennepin, 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 WO/Chisago, 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 BAMONA: Hennepin, 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 euphorbiae BAMONA: Hennepin/Anoka, Leafy Spurge Hawk Moth Larvae feed on leafy spurge. Larvae are also conspicuously colored, with a pronounced tail or "horn" near rear end. Young larvae are variously patterned with green, yellow, and black; older larvae have distinctive red, black, yellow, and white color pattern. Mature larvae may approach 10 cm in length; when disturbed, they regurgitate a slimy green liquid. Hyles gallii WO/Chisago, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This species is not reported in Chippewa, but it has been recorded in eastern Wisconsin counties. I suspect it is present. Larvae come in black and in brown forms and often feed on Epilobium (fireweed). Hyles lineata BAMONA: Hennepin/Anoka//Chisago/Morrison:, 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 BAMONA: Hennepin, 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. Sphecodina abbottii larvae; Corcoran, Minnesota, June 19, 2018, courtesy of Melonie Robran

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