Taos County, New Mexico
Sphingidae Larvae

Smerinthus ophthalmica, Taos County, New Mexico,
June 30, 2013, courtesy of Kristie W.

The well camouflaged larva is lower than the foliage in the photo.

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Kristie W. who sends the Smerinthus ophthalmica larval image above.

Kristie writes, "Hello, Bill,

"I recently visited your silkmoths [Sphingidae] identification guide online and was hoping you could help me regarding a caterpillar I found.

"From your site, it seems to be a Cerisy's Sphinx (photos attached). This was found in Taos, NM, and fell out of a willow tree during a wind storm. It's about three inches long and less than half an inch wide -- right now, it's in a small jam jar.

"Anyway, I was wondering if you would recommend just putting it back in the tree -- or if it would be OK to try and rear it in captivity. It's just so windy out here and I wonder if I could help increase its chances of survival.

"Unless, it's ready to pupate? It's not eating any of the willow leaves in the jar. Should I put it back on the ground outside?

"If you have any advice, I'd appreciate it. Thanks again for your helpful web site."

I reply, "Hi Kristie,

"Yes, it is Smerinthus cerisyi. I think it is probably ready to pupate.

"I wish permission to post photo, credited to you, to a Taos County thumbnail page I will create, similar to McKinley County page at http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/nmMcKinleysphlarva.htm.

"There is a link for care of found larvae on the McKinley County page.

"Give it another tweklve hours in with willow foliage. If it has done no eating, it is probably ready to pupate.

"Best of luck."

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

Thirty-five Sphingidae species are listed for New Mexico on the BAMONA website. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Taos County. As of July 1, 2013, five are reported for Taos County: Manduca quinquemaculatus; Smerinthus cerisyi; Sphinx libocedrus; Eumorpha achemon; Hyles lineata.

It is hoped that this checklist, with the thumbnails and notes, will help you quickly identify the moths/larvae you are likely to encounter.

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.

I, William Oehlke (WO), have added a number of species whose presence I expect in Taos County.

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 report your sightings to BAMONA, an excellent online resource.

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. Manduca quinquemaculatus BAMONA, 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). There is also a very beautiful brown form. See bottom of page. Manduca quinquemaculatus BAMONA, 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). There is also a very beautiful brown form to the left. Sagenosoma elsa WO, the Elsa Sphinx Larval hosts are unknown, but larvae probably feed on Lycium in the nightshade family (Solanaceae). Note the strong oblique black lines and the black anal horn. Sphinx asellus WO, the Asella Sphinx Larval hosts are Manzanita and Arctostaphylos of the Ericaceae family. Note the purple on both sides of the oblique white lines, the pale blue horn, brown head and purple feet. Sphinx chersis WO, the Great Ash Sphinx The larvae are pale bluish green. The head has a pair of yellow lateral bands meeting at the apex. Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen. Sphinx dollii WO, the Doll's sphinx Larval hosts are Alligator juniper (Juniperus deppeana) and other juniper species. It is amazing to me how well the larval spiracular patches and false feet match the pattern and colour of the juniper bark. possibly Sphinx libocedrus BAMONA, the Incense Cedar Sphinx Larvae feed on New Mexican forestiera (Forestiera neomexicana), on Forestiera angustifolia and on little leaf ash (Fraxinus gooddingii) in the Oleaceae family. There are green and dark forms and all larvae tend to darken just before pupation. 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. generally more northerly 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. Pachysphinx occidentalis WO, the Big Poplar Sphinx Larvae feed on cottonwood and poplar (Populus) and willow (Salix). I suspect this species is the more likely of the two Pachysphinx to fly in McKinley County. Larvae are very chunky with little to distinguish them from Pachysphinx modesta. 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. Larval skin is rough and grainy. generally more eastern species 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. To the left a second/third instar larva rests on pin cherry. The "red heart" marking readily identifies this species. generally more eastern species; possibly Smerinthus cerisyi KW/BAMONA, 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 cerisyi, mature, June 30, 2013, Kristie W. 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. Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon BAMONA, 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: 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. Euproserpinus wiesti WO, Wiest's Primrose Sphinx. Euproserpinus wiesti adults fly, during the day, over sand washes and prairie blow-outs as a single brood from May-June. Larvae feed on prairie primrose (Oenothera latifolia) in the evening primrose family (Onagraceae). Trying to rear in captivity has proven difficult. Larvae seem to need sunshine, heat and humidity. Hyles lineata BAMONA, 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. Proserpinus juanita WO, the Juanita Sphinx Larvae feed on (Onagraceae) including evening primrose (Oenothera), gaura (Gaura), and willow weed (Epilobium). Early instars are green and lack the dark sharply contrasting spiracular circles and other patterning. possibly, generally more westerly species Xylophanes tersa WO, the Tersa Sphinx Larvae also feed on Borreria, Catalpa and Manettia spp. and Smooth buttonplant (Spermacoce glabra) and starclusters (Pentas species). They are also recorded on joe-pie weed and Hamelia patens and on Hedoydis nigricans. The green form may be more common.

Many of the Sphingidae larvae are highly variable within the species. Most darken considerably just before pupation, especially before the onset of cooler weather.

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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.

Enjoy one of nature's wonderments: Live Saturniidae (Giant Silkmoth) cocoons.