Extreme Southern Texas
Sphingidae Larvae

Eumorpha vitis, 10/27/05, NABA International Butterfly Garden, Hidalgo County, Texas,
courtesy of John Rosford.

This page is inspired by and dedicated to John Rosford who sent me the Eumorpha vitis larval image at the top of this page.

Special thanks also goes to Jim Tuttle who confirmed the id and writes, "Yes, it is vitis. In satellitia the white panels are completely enclosed in black whereas in vitis the ends of the black panels remain open. Also, satellitia has a faint subdorsal longitudinal stripe that touches the top of the white panels that is lacking in vitis." As a postscript Jim adds, "The host plant is commonly called sorrel vine (Cissus)."

I have included sightings for the following counties in this region: Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy.

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

Seventy-five Sphingidae species are listed for Texas on the U.S.G.S. website. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in the extreme southern region. It is hoped that this checklist, with the thumbnails and notes, will help you quickly identify the moths/caterpillars you are likely to encounter.

A "USGS" indicates the moth is reported on the USGS 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.

Many thanks to Bo Zaremba who provides the following image of a very dark Manduca rustica larva.

Manduca rustica brown fifth instar, Roma, Starr County, Texas,
November 7, 2016, courtesy of Bo Zaremba, id by Bill Oehlke.

Sphinginae subfamily

Sphingini tribe:

Agrius cingulata, USGS Pink-spotted hawkmoth,
Hosts: Convolvulaceae family, especially Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato) and Solanaceae family, especially (Datura) (jimsonweed) and related plants in the Americas. Aalso a brown form. Look for very large, dark spiracular circles.

Cat Traylor larval image at bottom of page.

Ceratomia catalpae USGS, Catalpa Sphinx
Feed gregariously on Catalpa species (Catalpa bignoniodes and C. speciosa) in Bignoniaceae family, skeletonizing the foliage.
Larvae are mostly white in early instars.
generally more eastern species

Ceratomia undulosa USGS, 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.

Dolba hyloeus USGS, the Pawpaw Sphinx
Larvae feed on pawpaw (Asimina triloba), littleleaf sweetfern (Myrica aspleniifolia), possum haw (Ilex decidua), and inkberry (Ilex glabra) as well as Tall Gallberry Holly (Ilex coriacea). generally more northern and eastern species

Lintneria istar WO, the Istar Sphinx

Istar Sphinx larvae feed primarily on mints (Salvia).

Lintneria separatus USGS, Separated Sphinx. Salvia greggii has been confirmed as a larval host by Robert A. Behrstock.
Jim Tuttle, tentative id, writes, "All of the penultimate instars of both Lintneria (Sphinx) istar and Lintneria (Sphinx) separatus that I have reared have been mundane green."

Manduca florestan USGS Prominent, extended side slashes determine this species.
Yellow side slashes often occur on larvae feeding on foliage with yellowish underside veins. In penultimate instar, anterior three slashes are accentuated. (stray)

Manduca quinquemaculata USGS, 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 quinquemaculata USGS, 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). There is also a very beautiful brown form to the left.

Manduca rustica USGS, Rustic Sphinx. Numerous white nodules on top of thorax; seven pairs of oblique, blue-gray stripes along body side. Horn white at base and blue-gray at tip. Many hosts are utilized. Also a dark brown-black form with black horn.

Dark form image near top of page, courtesy of Bo Zaremba.

Manduca sexta USGS, 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 USGS, 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, preceded by a yellow dash.

Chisoya Sphinx USGS, the Chisoya Sphinx

Sorry, no larval image is available at this time.

Sphinx libocedrus USGS, the Incense Cedar Sphinx

Larvae feed on New Mexican forestiera (Forestiera neomexicana), on Forestiera angustifolia and on little leaf ash (Fraxinus gooddingii) in the Oleaceae family. There are green and dark forms and all larvae tend to darken just before pupation.

Sphinx vashti WO, the Snowberry Sphinx

Mature larvae are green with seven pairs of lateral, white, oblique bands which are bordered anteriorly with black. The anal horn is smooth and black.

Note the bands of gold dots on the thorax.

(stray)

Smerinthini Tribe:

None reported

Macroglossinae subfamily


Dilophonotini tribe:

Aellopos clavipes USGS, the Aellopos Sphinx.

Larvae feed on various species of the Rubiaceae (madder) family. Randia rhagocarpa, Randia monantha, Randia aculeata, Guettarda macrosperma and Genipa americana are listed as hosts. Probably only further south.

Aellopos titan USGS, the Titan Sphinx.

Larvae feed on seven year apple, Casasia clusiifolia, common buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis, and white indigoberry, Randia mitis. Randia monantha, Randia aculeata, Albizzia adinocephala and Randia grandifolia, all in the madder family (Rubiaceae), also serve as hosts. rare

Enyo lugubris the Mournful sphinx USGS,

Larvae probably feed on Vitus tiliifolia and other members of the Vitaceae family: Vitis, Cissus, Ampelopsis. In Florida larvae have been reported on larvae on Possum Vine (Cissus sicyoides) and Pepper Vine (Ampelopsis arborea).

Erinnyis alope the Alope Sphinx USGS,

Larvae feed on papaya (Carica papaya), nettlespurge (Jatropha), and allamanda (Allamanda).

Erinnyis domingonis the Dominican Sphinx USGS,

Sorry, no larval image is available at this time.

Erinnyis ello USGS, the 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.

Erinnyis lassauxii USGS, the Dominican Sphinx

Larvae feed on papaya (Carica papaya), Manihot esculenta and various plants (Macroscepis obovata) in the milkweed family.

Erinnyis obscura, the Obscure Sphinx, USGS
Larvae feed on Rauvolfia ligustrina, Rauvolfia tetraphylla, Stemmadenia obovata, Philibertia, Cynanchum, papaya (Carica papaya), Asclepiadaceae, Blepharodon mucronatum, White vine (Sarcostemma clausum) and Morrenia odorata.

Pachylia ficus, the Fig Sphinx, USGS

Females feed and lay eggs on fig leaves, especially Strangler Fig (Ficus aurea). Ficus carica, Ficus microcarpa, Ficus religiosa, Ficus pumila, Ficus gamelleira, Ficus prinoides, Ficus pumila and Artocarpus integrifolia are also listed as hosts.

The extreme variability of larvae is shown to the left.

The few images that have been sent to me for identification help are usually as per the upper image.

Visit Pachylia ficus courtesy of Beatrice Cruz and students, Harlingen, Texas.

Pseudosphinx tetrio, Tetrio Sphinx, MQ. Larvae defoliate Frangipani tree (Plumeria spp.) They generally start at tip of leaf and work back. Caterpillar: velvety black with yellow rings and orange head; growt up to six inches long; also feed on Allamanda cathartica; probably other members of Dogbane family: Apocynaceae.

Philampelini tribe:

Eumorpha eacus USGS, the Eacus Sphinx

Eumorpha megaeacus larvae feed at night upon Jussiaea species and upon members of the primrose family (Onagraceae).

stray

Eumorpha fasciatus USGS, Banded Sphinx. Hiosts: primrose-willow, Ludwigia (water primrose), other plants in evening primrose family. Hornless, highly variable larva . Look for large, dark spiracular circles and a dark line in the center of the back. See image at bottom of this page.

Eumorpha labruscae MQ, the Gaudy Sphinx
In Florida larvae have been found on Possum Vine (Cissus sicyoides).
Cissus incisa, Cissus verticillata, Eupatorium odoratum, Ludwigia, Magnolia, Parthenocissus and Vitis vinifera are all reported hosts.

Larval patterning strongly suggests a small snake.

Eumorpha pandorus USGS, 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

Eumorpha satellitia licaon MQ, the Satellite Sphinx

In Eumorpha satellitia the white panels are completely enclosed in black whereas in E. vitis the ends of the black panels remain open. Also, satellitia has a faint subdorsal longitudinal stripe that touches the top of the white panels that is lacking in vitis.

I suspect there is also a green form.

Eumorpha vitis USGS/John Rosford, 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.

Eumorpha vitis larva, Hidalgo County, John Rosford, October 27, 2005

Macroglossini tribe:

Amphion floridensis USGS, 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.

Cautethia spuria USGS, the Spurious Sphinx
Larvae feed on Coutarea hexandra, Chiococca alba and Chiococca pachyphylla and probably other species of the Rubiaceae family. rare stray; varied larval forms

Hyles lineata USGS, 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 BAMONA, Juanita Sphinx: Newly-hatched caterpillars eat eggshells. (Onagraceae) including evening primrose (Oenothera), gaura (Gaura), and willow weed (Epilobium). Michael Van Buskirk has found them on Guara biennis in Missouri. rare

Xylophanes pluto USGS, the Pluto Sphinx
Larvae feed on Milkberry (Chiococca species), Firebush (Hamelia patens), Indian Mulberry (Morinda royoc) and Erythroxylon species. There are three known colour morphs: green, brown, and purple/brown. The false eyes are rather striking.

Xylophanes tersa USGS, the Tersa Sphinx. Larvae also 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.

Many of the Sphingidae larvae are highly variable within the species. Most darken considerably just before pupation, especially before the onset of cooler weather.

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This page is brought to you by Bill Oehlke and the WLSS. Pages are on space rented from Bizland. If you would like to become a "Patron of the Sphingidae Site", contact Bill.

Please send sightings/images to Bill. I will do my best to respond to requests for identification help.

Eumorpha vitis, 10/22/05, NABA International Butterfly Garden, Hidalgo County, Texas,
courtesy of Mike Quinn.

Agrius cingulata on Ipomoea ochracea, courtesy of Cat Traylor.

Erinnyis ello McAllen, (Hidalgo Co.), courtesy of Albert Hinojosa via Ruben Ruiz
and Roy Vogtsberger and Mike Quinn.
The E. ello caterpillar appears to be feeding on Walker's Manioc (Manihot walkerae).

Pachylia ficus, Brownsville, (Cameron County), Texas, November 9, 2006,
courtesy of Jimmy Paz and Cecilia Farrell, via Mike Quinn.

Xylohanes tersa green form on Heimia salicifolia,
Harlingen (Cameron County), Texas, May 3, 2007, courtesy of Frank Wiseman.

Xylohanes tersa brown form on Heimia salicifolia,
Harlingen (Cameron County), Texas, May 3, 2007, courtesy of Frank Wiseman.

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.

Use your browser "Back" button to return to the previous page.

This page is brought to you by Bill Oehlke and the WLSS. Pages are on space rented from Bizland. If you would like to become a "Patron of the Sphingidae Site", contact Bill.

Please send sightings/images to Bill. I will do my best to respond to requests for identification help.


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