PAONIAS MYOPS,
THE SMALL-EYED SPHINX
J. E. Smith, 1797

DISTRIBUTION:

Paonias myops, the Small-eyed Sphinx (wingspan 45-75 mm), ranges from south eastern Canada to Florida westward almost to the Pacific Coast. It is fairly common here on Prince Edward Island, with males coming in to lights much more frequently than females.

Typical of species in the tribe Smerinthini, adult myops do not feed.

FLIGHT TIMES:

Paonias myops flies from June through September in eastern Canada and is especially abundant in New Brunswick.

In New Jersey the Small-eyed Sphinx is double-brooded. In Louisiana there are four broods at roughly 50 day intervals with the first brood eclosions peaking at the end of March.

ECLOSION:

Paonias myops moths emerge from pupae formed in small subterranean chambers.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Small-eyed Sphinx females call in the night flying males with an airbourne pheromone emitted from a gland at the posterior of the abdomen.

Both sexes rest with wings parallel to the resting surface, with the upper lobes of the hindwings protruding above the forewings. The lower abdomen of the male arcs upward toward the head, while the abdomen of the female hangs strait down on a vertical surface.

EGGS, LARVAE, PUPAE:

Pale green eggs are deposited on hostplants foliage and this sphinx will oviposit readily on the insides of brown paper sandwich or grocery bags. Wild cherry species are the favorites as larval foodplants, but eggs will also be deposited on birches and other forest trees, including service berry (Amelanchier) and basswood (Tilia). To the right a second instar larva rests on pin cherry. The "red heart" marking readily identifies this species.

Scan by Bill Oehlke

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