Columbia County, Georgia
Sphingidae Larva

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Bob and Marsha Hamlin who provide the images (top of page and link below) of a Manduca rustica larva on Gardenia jasminoides. Marsha reports Bob is the photographer and she is the naturalist.

Visit Manduca rustica larva, courtesy of Bob and Marsha Hamlin.

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

Marsha Hamlin writes, "Hello Bill,
"Today I found this larva eating, yes, it was really eating, not resting, Gardenia jasminoides 'Radicans.' I think it is Manduca rustica, and I plan to raise it to an adult.
"He is now about 6 1/2 cm long."

Her husband Bob provides a beautiful series of images available via the link above.

Thirty-six Sphingidae species are listed for Georgia on the BAMONA website. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Columbia County (Three species are reported on BAMONA as of August 16, 2013). It is hoped that this checklist, with the thumbnails and notes, will help you quickly identify the Sphingidae larvae you are likely to encounter.

A "WO" after the species name indicates that I have no confirmed reports of this species in your county, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth and its larvae are present or might be present.

A "BAMONA" 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.

Please also send your sightings to BAMONA, an excellent online resource.

Visit Columbia County Sphingidae Adult Moth Checklist
Visit Georgia Catocala, Underwing Moths
Visit Saturniidae of Prince Edward Island, Canada; giant silkmoths (livestock and supplies).

The night-blooming moon flower will attract many Sphingidae at dusk and into the night.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Agrius cingulata, WO Pink-spotted Hawkmoth: Larvae feed on plants in Convolvulaceae family, especially Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato) and in Solanaceae family, especially (Datura) (jimsonweed) and related plants. Also brown form. Look for very large, dark spiracular circles. 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: Young caterpillars feed gregariously on Catalpa species (Catalpa bignoniodes and C. speciosa) in the Bignoniaceae family, skeletonizing the foliage. Larvae are mostly white in early instars. 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). Louis Handfield reports larvae probably feed on Ilex verticellata in Quebec. Isoparce cupressi WO, Cypress or Baldcypress Sphinx. Larvae feed on needles of baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) at night and pupate in shallow underground burrows where second generation overwinters. Lapara coniferarum WO, the Southern Pine Sphinx: Larvae feed upon various pine species, including loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and longleaf pine (P. pinaster). They are well camouflaged and are without an anal horn. 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, 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 rustica B&MH,Rustic Sphinx: Larva: numerous white nodules on dorsal thorax; seven pairs of oblique, blue-gray stripes along body side. Granulose horn: white at base, blue-gray at tip. Manduca rustica fifth instar, August 15, 2013, Bob and Marsha Hamlin. Manduca sexta WO, 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 WO, Plebeian Sphinx:Preferred hosts are common trumpetcreeper (Campsis radicans), Florida yellow-trumpet (Tecoma stans), lilac (Syringa species), and passionflower (Passiflora species). Blue anal horn, preceded by yellow dash. 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. Sphinx kalmiae WO, the Laurel Sphinx Laurel Sphinx larvae feed primarily on lilac and fringe. Larvae have also been found on privet. Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis WO, Walnut Sphinx: 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 astylus WO, the Huckleberry Sphinx Blueberry and huckleberry (Vaccinium), cherries (Prunus) and willows (Salix) are the favorites as larval foodplants. This appears to be an uncommon species. 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. The skin is very granulose. Paonias myops WO, the Small-eyed Sphinx The larvae depicted is probably third instar. There may be more red spotting on the sides as larvae mature. 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: Enyo lugubris, the Mournful Sphinx, WO: The body and wings are dark brown. The forewing has a large black patch covering most of the outer half of the wing. There is a pale tan cell spot (dark inner pupil), and a fairly straight median line to the inside of the cell spot. Some larvae have extensive reddish brown areas. Hemaris thysbe BAMONA, 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. Hemaris diffinis WO, the Snowberry Clearwing, Bumblebee Moth: Host plants include Snowberry (Symphoricarpos), honeysuckle (Lonicera), Coralberry, viburnums, Blue Dogbane (Apocynum), dwarf bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera). Horn: black with yellow base. 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 fasciatus BAMONA, Banded Sphinx: Larvae feed upon primrose-willow, Ludwigia (water primrose) and other plants in evening primrose family. Highly variable hornless larva. Look for large, dark spiracular circles and dark line center of back. Eumorpha intermedia WO??, generally coastal, the Intermediate Sphinx. Eumorpha intermedia larvae feed upon peppervine, Ampelopsis arborea. Possibly they will also accept grape (Vitis species), but so far no records of that host have been reported to my knowledge. They like to remain well hidden within tangle of vines and probably feed mostly at night. Eumorpha pandorus WO, 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. Darapsa versicolor WO, the Hydrangea Sphinx: Larvae turn deep chocolate brown just prior to pupation, anal "horn" also turns downward as pupation draws near. Larvae feed on Smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), waterwillow (Decodon verticillatus). 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, White-lined Sphinx: Larvae: highly varied; feed on 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), Fuschia. Larvae seem to have red/black swellings split by dorso-lateral lines. Proserpinus guarae WO, Proud Sphinx: Larvae feed on (Onagraceae) including evening primrose (Oenothera), gaura (Gaura), and willow weed (Epilobium). rare, generally more westerly Sphecodina abbottii WO, 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 BAMONA, Tersa Sphinx: Larvae also feed on Borreria, Catalpa and Manettia spp. and Smooth buttonplant (Spermacoce glabra), starclusters (Pentas species), joe-pie weed, Hamelia patens, Hedoydis nigricans. The green form may be more common.

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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.

Visit Additional Butterfly and Moth websites created and maintained by Bill Oehlke:
World wide Saturniidae (giant silkmoths); Saturniidae of Prince Edward Island (livestock and supplies available); Sphingidae of the Americas (Hawk Moths from North, Central and South America); Catocala (underwing moths) of Canada and the United Stated; Butterflies of Canada and the United States; Caterpillar identification service

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