Henrico County, Virginia and Richmond, and Nearby Counties:
Chesterfield; Henrico; Powhatan; Goochland; Hanover; New Kent; Prince George; Charles
Sphingidae

Manduca rustica Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia,
July 30, 2020, courtesy of Stephanie Minneti.

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Stephanie Minneti who sends many images of Manduca rustica from Richmond, Virginia

Manduca rustica Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia,
July 30, 2020, courtesy of Stephanie Minneti.

Congratulations to Stephanie who was successful in getting the larva depicted to go undergound, August 2, 2020, and then emerge as an adult moth, September 8, 2020.

Manduca rustica Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia,
eclosion, September 8, 2020, courtesy of Stephanie Minneti.

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

Thirty-two Sphingidae species are listed for Virginia on the U.S.G.S. (now BAMONA) website. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Richmond (fifteen species are reported on BAMONA. as of July 30, 2020):

Agrius cingulata; Ceratomia catalpae; Ceratomia undulosa; Manduca sexta; Paratrea plebeja; Amorpha juglandis; Paonias myops; Hemaris diffinis;Hemaris thysbe; Eumorpha achemon; Eumorpha fasciatus; Eumorpha pandorus; Amphion floridensis; Darapsa myron; Sphecodina abbottii.

It is hoped that this checklist, with the thumbnails and notes, will help you quickly identify the Sphinx moth larvae you are likely to encounter.

A "WO" after the species name indicates that I have no confirmed reports of this species in Richmond or any of the counties covered, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present or might be present. A "Richmond" 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.

Although this page was inpsired by Stephanie Minneti for the city of Richmond, it also serves as a valid checklist for what can be expected in nearby counties, with colur coded entries confirmed by BAMONA as of July 30, 2020.

need to update the listings below:

Chesterfield: Ceratomia undulosa; Lapara coniferarum; Manduca quinquemaculata; Manduca sexta; Amorpha juglandis; Hemaris diffinis; Hemaris thysbe; Eumorpha pandorus; Amphion floridensis; Darapsa myron; Xylophanes tersa; ;
Powhatan: none reported;
Henrico: none reported;
Goochland: Amorpha juglandis; Hemaris diffinis;
Hanover: Paonias excaecata; Hemaris diffinis; Hemaris thysbe; Eumorpha pandorus;
New Kent: none reported;
Charles: none reported;
Prince George: Hemaris diffinis.

************ You can visit similar Sphingidae checklists for most counties in all US states; all provinces in Canada, Mexico, and all countries in the Carribean Islands, Central and South America via links from Sphingidae of the Americas.

You can visit similar Catocala checklists for all US states and Canadian provinces via links from North American Catocala.

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Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Agrius cingulata, Richmond, Pink-spotted hawkmoth. Larvae feed on plants in the Convolvulaceae family, especially Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato) and in the Solanaceae family, especially (Datura) (jimsonweed) and related plants in the Americas. There is also a brown form. Look for very large, dark spiracular circles. unlikely in larval stage 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). Ceratomia catalpae Richmond, 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 Richmond/Chesterfield, 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. 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. Lapara coniferarum WO/Chesterfield, 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. 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 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. Manduca quinquemaculatus WO/Chesterfield, 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. Manduca rustica Richmond SM, the Rustic Sphinx Note the green horn, raised white bumps and strong dark lines anterior to the white ones. Manduca sexta Richmond/Chesterfield, 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. Paratrea plebeja Richmond, 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), and passionflower (Passiflora species). 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. 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. 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. unlikely Sphinx gordius WO/Amherst, 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 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: Amorpha juglandis Richmond/Chesterfield/Goochland; the Walnut Sphinx Amorpha juglandis larvae feed upon Walnut and butternut (Juglans), hickory (Carya), alder (Alnus), beech (Fagus), hazelnut (Corylus), and hop-hornbeam (Ostrya). Paonias astylus WO, the Huckleberry Sphinx Blueberry and huckleberry (Vaccinium), cherries (Prunus) and willows (Salix) are the favorites as larval foodplants. Paonias excaecata Hanover, the Blinded Sphinx Larvae accept willows, birches, and cherries. I have also found them in the wild on oak in eastern Canada. Paonias myops Richmond, 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 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 two species. Hemaris diffinis Richmond/Chesterfield/Goochland/Hanover/Prince George; 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 thysbe Richmond/Chesterfield/Hanover, 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 Richmond, 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 fasciatus Richmond, Banded Sphinx. Primrose-willow, Ludwigia (water primrose) and other plants in evening primrose family. Hornless larva highly variable. Look for large, dark spiracular circles and dark line in center of back. possibly occurs as an adult stress, less likely to be found in larva stage. Eumorpha pandorus Richmond/Chesterfield/Hanover, 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 Richmond/Chesterfield, 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 Richmond/Chesterfield, 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. 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. 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. Hyles lineata WO/SM, 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 Richmond, 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. Xylophanes tersa WO/Chesterfield/unlikely in larval stage, just as an adult stray, the Tersa Sphinx The snake-like larva has a head and the three thoracic segments which may be retracted into abdominal segment 1, which is swollen and adorned with a pair of light-ringed eye-spots. I often get questions about these larvae due to their voracious appetites for garden penta species.

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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