Waukesha County, Wisconsin
Sphingidae Larvae

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

Thirty Sphingidae species are listed in the USGS for Wisconsin. Not all of the species are reported (two by USGS as of September 23, 2008) or anticipated (thirty-five by Bill Oehlke) in Waukesha County.

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Matthew Beardsley and his father Clint Beardsley. Clint sent me the image of the Eumorpha pandorus larva at top of this page.

Clint writes, "I'm writing to find out more about this moth. I live in Wisconsin and we found one of these caterpillars in our back yard. We did not know what type it was so we did some research. The thing we found out is its habit is tropics and subtropics (initially thought they had Eumorpha satellitia a similar species). So my question is why is it here in Wisconsin? What is its range? Is this something of interest in the study of moths?"

I replied, "I suspect you either have Eumorpha pandorus or Eumorpha achemon.

"My Wisconsin Sphingidae page is at http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/WIsphinx.htm

"If you can send me a jpg image attachment, showing side of larva, I can id it for you. Please advise which county you are in as I keep records of such."

Clint sent the image and wrote, "Thank you for your quick reply. This has been fun for the family. We live in Sussex, Wisconsin, which is in Waukesha County. This caterpillar was found by my son Matthew Beardsley."

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 Waukesha 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.

Many thanks to Krista Galbraith who sends the following images of Hemaris diffinis.

Hemaris diffinis fifth instar, Waukesha County, Wisconsin,
August 27, 2014, courtesy of Krista Galbraith.

Hemaris diffinis fifth instar, Waukesha County, Wisconsin,
August 27, 2014, courtesy of Krista Galbraith.

Krista writes, "I came across your email on a site looking on how my kids could care for the caterpillar they found. We are in Waukesha county, I could send pictures if interested."

Visit Waukesha County Sphingidae Adults: Sphinx Moths; Hawkmoths

Visit Wisconsin Catocala: Underwing Moths

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 green and brown forms. The four horns near the head are diagnostic. 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 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. questionable 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). Manduca sexta WO, 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. Emily Balsley found one on her pepper plants. Sphinx canadensis WO, Sphinx canadensis, the Canadian Sphinx, is not common, and is not often reported anywhere, but it should be present in Eau Claire County. Larval hosts are white ash (Fraxinus americana) and blueberry (Vaccinium). Sorry, no larval image available. 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 This one is reported from Richmond and from northeastern New Jersey into southern Canada. 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. questionable 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. Anal horn all but disappears in final instar. Paonias excaecata WO, the Blinded Sphinx Larval skin is grainy in appearance. 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/KG, Snowberry Clearwing; Bumblebee Moth. Larval hosts include Snowberry (Symphoricarpos), honeysuckle (Lonicera), Coralberry, viburnums, Blue Dogbane (Apocynum), dwarf bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera).Horn black, yellow base. Hemaris diffinis, August 27, 2014, Krista Galbraith 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. questionable Eumorpha pandorus CB/MB/USGS, 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. Eumorpha pandorus, Sussex, Waukesha County, September 2008, Clint and Matthew Beardsley. 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. Darapsa versicolor WO, 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. questionable Deidamia inscriptum WOS, 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 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 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. 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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