Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin
Sphingidae Larvae

Hyles lineata larva feeding on evening primrose,
Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin,
July 23, 2012, courtesy of Larry Lewis.

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

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Larry Lewis, who sent me the Hyles lineata image, top of this page.

Larry writes (July 23, 2012), "Hi, Hope you can help with this critter. Location: Fond du Lac, Wi. found exclusively on my evening primrose bushes. I also notice several hummingbird moths at night. Can you i.d. this caterpillar? Thanks in advance, Larry Lewis"

Larry encountered many more Hyles lineata larvae in August 2014. He writes, "Here are two more showing the difference, (I think), between sexes. The predominantly black one will grow almost as large as the green ones. We counted eleven on my two bushes this year. I've started 22 new bushes this year; see what that attracts next year. If you have other information on the blackish caterpillar, please let me know."

I reply, "Thanks for thinking of me. The caterpillars of Hyles lineata, the White-lined Sphinx, are very variable. You have sent images showing that variability. All images are of Hyles lineata. There is no difference in the gender of the larvae with regard to colouration or patterning."

Larry adds, "Thanks for the information. I have noticed a variation of coloring in the moths. They are found exclusively on my giant evening primrose plants. They destroy the plant after two weeks of flowering and that is why I'm planting so many this fall. I've never seen the seeds for sale from this plant and I don't know why. Easy to care for, prunable for size, draught resistant. Only drawback is having to restart every spring. It does well in starter trays. Thanks again."

Below are the images Larry sent in August 2014.

Hyles lineata fifth instar (larger larva, slightly out of focus in background),
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, August 4, 2014, courtesy of Larry Lewis

Hyles lineata probably third instar, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin,
August 4, 2014, courtesy of Larry Lewis

The caterpillars of most Sphingidae species pass through five instars, shedding old skins each time to make room for more growth. Sometimes the colour and patterning change with each molt, sometimes not. There can be a great diversity of colours and patterning even in the final, fifth instar, at least for Hyles lineata. There tends to be little variation, however, with the adults, so I am wondering if Larry is perhaps seeing more than one species nectaring at his evening primrose.

I do expect that Larry will have regular appearances of this species just about every year at the same time, late July to early August. I am not sure if the pupae of Hyles lineata can withstand the harsh cold of a Wisconsin winter. It is quite possible that the adults, who deposited the eggs resulting in these larvae, migrated from much further south two to four weeks ago.

It is hoped that this checklist, with the thumbnails and notes, will help you quickly identify the larvae you have encountered.

A WO" after the species name indicates that I have no confirmed reports of this species in Fond du Lac County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this species is present.

Please help me develop this list with improved, documented accuracy by sending sightings (species, date, location), preferably with an image, via email to Bill Oehlke.

Visit Fond du Lac County Sphingidae; Adult Moths
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If you are travelling, you can find active Sphingidae checklists for all countries in North, Central, and South America and the Caribbbean via the links at North, Central, South American Sphingidae checklists

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Ceratomia amyntor WO, the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and cherry (Prunus). There are both pale green and brown forms. The four horns near the head are diagnostic. Ceratomia undulosa WO, 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 WO, 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). 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 WO, 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). Sphinx canadensis WO, Sphinx canadensis, the Canadian Sphinx, is not common, and is not often reported anywhere, but it might be present in Chippewa County. Larval hosts are white ash (Fraxinus americana) and blueberry (Vaccinium). Sphinx chersis WO, 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 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 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 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. 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. Sphinx poecila WO, the Poecila Sphinx If you have blueberries in the woods, then you probably have the Poecila Sphinx. They are probably widespread throughout Wisconsin, but are very much under reported. 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. 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 WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx Larvae feed on poplars and cottonwood. Paonias excaecata WO, 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, 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, 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: Hemaris diffinis WO, 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 WO, the Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing Larval foods are blueberries including low bush blueberry (Vaccinium vacillans), and laurel (Kalmia), all in the heath family (Ericaceae). 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. Philampelini Tribe: Eumorpha achemon WO, 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 JK, 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 WO, 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, 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 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 gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx Larvae come in black and in brown forms and often feed on Epilobium (fireweed). Hyles lineata LL, 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. Hyles lineata larva, Fond du Lac, July 23, 2012, August 4, 2014, Larry Lewis. 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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