Wexford County, and Nearby Counties in Northern Michigan:
Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Manistee and Missaukee
Sphingidae Larvae

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

Forty-four Sphingidae species are listed in the BAMONA for Michigan as of July 31, 2019. Not all of the species are reported (two: Paonias myops; Manduca sexta by BAMONA as of July 31, 2019) or anticipated (twenty-eight by Bill Oehlke) in Wexford County. Some of the species reported by BAMONA occur in Michigan as fall strays from further south. The strays do not reproduce in Michigan, so you would not encounter their larvae.

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Gaillynn Draur of Cadillac, Wexford County, Michigan. Gaillynn, sent me the images of Hyles euphorbiae larva (above and below), taken July 25, 2019, in Wexford County.

Hyles gallii larva, Cadillac, Wexford County, Michigan, July 25, 2019, courtesy of Gaillynn Draur.
Remarkable: This cat would rather eat than enjoy once in a life time view.

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 Wexford County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this species is present in Wexford and nearby counties:

Benzie:Ceratomia undulosa; Sphinx chersis; Sphinx drupiferarum; Amorpha juglandis; Paonias excaecata; Paonias myops; Smerinthus jamaicensis; Hemaris diffinis; Eumorpha achemon; Amphion floridensis; Hyles euphorbiae; Hyles lineata;
Grand Traverse: Agrius cingulata; Ceratomia amyntor; Ceratomia undulosa; Dolba hyloeus; Lapara bombycoides; Lintneria eremitus; Manduca quinquemaculata; Manduca sexta; Sphinx chersis; Sphinx drupiferarum; Sphinx kalmiae; Sphinx luscitiosa; Sphinx poecila; Amorpha juglandis; Pachysphinx modesta; Paonias excaecata; Paonias myops; Smerinthus cerisyi; Smerinthus jamaicensis; Hemaris diffinis; Hemaris thysbe; Amphion floridensis; Darapsa choerilus; Darapsa myron; Darapsa versicolor; Hyles gallii; Hyles lineata; Sphecodina abbottii;
Leelanau: Ceratomia undulosa; Sphinx poecila; Paonias excaecata; Paonias myops; Eumorpha achemon; Hyles euphorbiae; Hyles lineata;
Manistee: Ceratomia undulosa; Sphinx poecila; Pachysphinx modesta; Paonias myops; Smerinthus jamaicensis; Deidamia inscriptum;
Missaukee: Hemaris diffinis; Hemaris thysbe .

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.

Although this page is inspired as a reference for Wexford County, it also serves as a valid checklist for the following nearby counties with species listed, confirmed by BAMONA, an excellent online resource. Please also send your sightings to BAMONA.

Visit similar Checklists (larvae and adult moths) for all US states, all Canadian provinces, Mexico, all Central and South American Countries

Visit similar Catocala Checklists for all US states and Canadian provinces.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Agrius cingulata, Grand Traverse 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. Very variable! This species wouldlikely only rarely be seen as an adult stray from more southerly states. I would not expect larvae to be seen in Michigan. Ceratomia amyntor WO/Grand Traverse, 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 undulosa WO/Benzie/Grand Traverse/Leelanau/Manistee, 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/Grand Traverse, 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/Grand Traverse, 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/Grand Traverse, 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/Grand Traverse, 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 Wexford County/Grand Traverse, 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. This species is not common at lights, and is not often reported anywhere. Larval host may be exclusively black ash (Fraxinus nigra). Variable appearance but always with granulous (darker protrusions) on pinkish horn. Sphinx chersis WO/Benzie/Grand Traverse, 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/WO/Benzie/Grand Traverse, 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 kalmiae WO/Grand Traverse, 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/Grand Traverse, 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/Grand Traverse/Leelanau/Manistee, the Poecila Sphinx If you have blueberries in the woods, then you might have the Poecila Sphinx. The green form is more common. Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis WO/Benzie/Grand Traverse, 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/Grand Traverse/Manistee, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx Larvae feed on poplars and cottonwood. Anal horn all but disappears in final instar. Paonias excaecata WO/Benzie/Grand Traverse/Leelanau/Manistee, 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 myopsWexford County/Benzie/Grand Traverse/ Leelanau/Manistee, 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/Grand Traverse, 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/Benzie/Grand Traverse/Manistee, 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/Benzie/Grand Traverse/Missaukee, 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/Grand Traverse/Missaukee, 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/Benzie/Leelanau, 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. Macroglossini Tribe: Amphion floridensis WO/Benzie/Grand Traverse, 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/Grand Traverse, 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/Grand Traverse, 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/Grand Traverse, 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. not common Deidamia inscriptum WO/Manistee, 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. questionable as larva, northern range limit Hyles gallii WO/Grand Traverse, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx: Larvae come in black and in brown forms and often feed on Epilobium (fireweed). Hyles euphorbiae GD/Wexford/Benzie/Grand Traverse/Leelanau, Leafy Spurge Hawk Moth Larvae feed on leafy spurge. Larvae are also conspicuously colored, with a pronounced tail or "horn" near rear end. Young larvae are variously patterned with green, yellow, and black; older larvae have distinctive red, black, yellow, and white color pattern. Mature larvae may approach 10 cm in length; when disturbed, they regurgitate a slimy green liquid. Now confirmed in Wexford County, by Gaillynn Draur. Hyles euphorbiae mature larva, Cadillac, Wexford County, July 25, 2019, Gaillynn Draur Hyles lineata WO/Benzie/Leelanau, 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/Grand Traverse, 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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