Sphinginae subfamily
Sphingini tribe:
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Agrius cingulata,
BAMONA/Nassau Pink-spotted hawkmoth:
Larvae feed on 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. occasionally, but only as adult moth
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Ceratomia amyntor
BAMONA/Queens,
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
BAMONA/Nassau,
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
BAMONA/Queens, 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
BAMONA/Queens, 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
BAMONA/Nassau,
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
BAMONA/Queens, 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 BAMONA, 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
BAMONA, 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
BAMONA,
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/Queens, the Rustic Sphinx: Note the green horn, raised white bumps and strong dark lines
anterior to the white ones. possibly, but only as adult moth
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Manduca sexta
BAMONA/Nassau/Queens, 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
BAMONA/Queens, the 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), passionflower (Passiflora species).
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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.
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Sphinx chersis BAMONA/Nassau/Queens, 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
BAMONA, 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 gordius BAMONA/Nassau, 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/Queens, 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.
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Sphinx luscitiosa BAMONA/Queens,
the Canadian Sphinx or
Clemen's Sphinx:
This one is reported from Richmond and from northeastern New Jersey.
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Smerinthini Tribe:
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Amorpha juglandis
BAMONA/Queens, 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
BAMONA,
the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx
This moth is not officially recorded in Burlington County. It is fond
of poplars and
willows.
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Paonias astylus
BAMONA, the Huckleberry Sphinx:
Blueberry and huckleberry (Vaccinium), cherries (Prunus) and
willows (Salix) are the favorites as larval foodplants.
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Paonias excaecata
BAMONA/Nassau/Queens,
the 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
BAMONA/Queens, 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 BAMONA/Queens, 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.
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Macroglossinae subfamily
Dilophonotini tribe:
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Erinnyis ello
BAMONA, 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. Just as an adult moth
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Enyo lugubris, the Mournful Sphinx,
WO/Queens
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. This species should probalby only be seen as a stray adult from further south.
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Hemaris thysbe
BAMONA/Nassau/Queens, 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
BAMONA/Nassau/Queens, Snowberry Clearwing; Bumblebee Moth:
Larval host plants include 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
BAMONA/Nassau, 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.
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Eumorpha fasciatus
BAMONA, the 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. See image at bottom of this page.
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Eumorpha pandorus
BAMONA/Nassau/Queens, 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.
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Eumorpha vitis
WO,
the 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.
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Macroglossini tribe:
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Amphion floridensis
BAMONA/Nassau, 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.
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Cautethia grotei
WO, Grote's Sphinx. Rare in U.S., but there are sightings (mostly of adult moths)
in the east from Florida, South Carolina, New Jersey, New York,
Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Larvae feed on David's milkberry/snowberry (Chiococca alba)
in the madder family (Rubiaceae) and have also been found on black torch (Erithalis fruiticosa) and Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus).
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Darapsa choerilus
BAMONA, 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
BAMONA/Queens, 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.
Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia),
Grape (Vitis), Ampelopsis, and Viburnum.
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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
BAMONA/Queens, 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 gallii
WO, Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx:
Larvae come in black and in brown forms and often feed on
Epilobium (fireweed).
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Hyles lineata
BAMONAQueens, 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.
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Sphecodina abbottii
BAMONA, 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
BAMONA/Nassau, Tersa Sphinx: Borreria, Catalpa
and Manettia spp., Smooth buttonplant (Spermacoce glabra), starclusters
(Pentas species), Joe-pie weed;
Hamelia patens; Hedoydis nigricans. Green form may be more common.
likely just as adult moth
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