Oklahoma County, Oklahoma
Sphingidae Larvae

Paratrea plebeja, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, October 1, 2006, courtesy of Susan Johnston.

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Susan Johnston who sent me the image of Paratrea plebeja at the top of the page, the image of the early instar Hemaris diffinis below, and the image of Eumorpha achemon at bottom of page.

Susan writes, "I also just sent a pic to "What's That Bug?" of a Plebeian Sphinx cat I found on trumpet creeper. Your website has been of GREAT help to me in ID'ing many of the moths I raise and I thank you for that.

"I'm at a loss to definitely ID this caterpillar as a Hemaris diffinis found on honeysuckle. While there are similarities to the green form, this cat is entirely brown and not more than a first instar cat. I have read much material on the Internet which states that Hemaris may turn brown in the later instars, but this is very early, and I don't know for sure if it is the same species, just a brown form, or not. "I am sending this photo to you for your opinion. The yellow banding on the head capsule that is typical of Hemaris, seems to be more like tiny "eyelashes" on this brown form, with more protrusion than just banding.

" I would appreciate if you could give me your expert opinion. I live in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in zone 7a, and the cat was found, among other numerous typical green forms, on my honeysuckle, which they frequent every year."

I wrote back, "Yes, it is Hemaris diffinis. Many of the Sphingidae show variation in colour and patterning in the larval stages. I had not seen a small brown one before, however."

Bob Heckman sent this image of a Ceratomia amyntor larva.

Ceratomia amyntor, climbing an elm tree, September 23, 2007,
Mid West City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, courtesy of Bob Heckman.

Bob writes, "The caterpillar was crawling up the elm tree and took about 45 minutes to get from the base of the tree to spindly, but secure branch about 15 ft up the tree. I assume it was going to become a cocoon.

"I Could not believe the adaptation to look like the elm leaf. I have found several similar looking caterpillars in searching hundreds of pics, but none that looked exactly like this one.

"If you know what kind of moth or butterfly this becomes, I would sure appreciate knowing."

I suspect the caterpillar either fell from the tree during a wind/rain storm, or may have been dislodged/dropped by a bird. At maturity, Sphingidae larvae descend the host plant and pupate amongst leaf litter or in subterranena chambers.

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

Thirty-seven Sphingidae species are listed for Oklahoma on the USGS checklist. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Oklahoma County (two on USGS: Carolina sphinx (Manduca sexta) and Great ash sphinx (Sphinx chersis)).

It is hoped that this checklist, with the thumbnails and notes, will help you quickly identify the larvae (caterpillars) you have encountered.

A "WO" after the species name indicates that I have no confirmed reports of this species in Oklahoma County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this species is present or might be present.

A USGS indicates the moth is reported on the USGS website and/or in Moths of Western North America, #2. Distribution of Sphingidae of Western North America, revised, 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 image, via email to Bill Oehlke.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Agrius cingulata, WO 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. Ceratomia amyntor WO/BH, 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. Now confirmed by Bob Heckman, September 23, 2007. 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. generally more eastern species Ceratomia hageni WO, Hagen's Sphinx or Osage Orange Sphinx. Larvae feed on osage orange (Maclura pomifera), and they have a granulous appearance with variable amounts of purple along the oblique white stripes. 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. Lintneria eremitoides WO. Larval hosts are Sage (Salvia species). Larvae will most often be encountered on Lamiaceae: Salvia (Sage), Mentha (Mints), Monarda (Beebalm), Hyptis (Bushmints); Verbenaceae: Verbena, Lantana camara (shrub verbenas or lantanas). One is even more likely to discover larvae feeding in the evening or after dark. 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 USGS, 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 SJ , the Plebeian Sphinx. Preferred hosts are common trumpetcreeper (Campsis radicans), Florida yellow-trumpet (Tecoma stans), lilac (Syringa species), and passionflower (Passiflora species). The anal horn is blue, preceded by a yellow dash. Sphinx chersis USGS, Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx. Larvae are pale bluish green. Head has pair of yellow lateral bands meeting at apex. Oblique, lateral stripes are pale, bordered anteriorly with darker green. Ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen. Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx. Sphinx drupiferarum 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 from eggs readily oviposited by a female. possibly Sphinx vashti WO, Snowberry Sphinx. Mature larvae are green with seven pairs of lateral, white, oblique bands which are bordered anteriorly with black. The anal horn is smooth and black. Larvae feed on the common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) and on coralberry (S. orbiculatus). Note the raised gold bands on 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. Pachysphinx occidentalis WO, the Big Poplar Sphinx. This one is quite similar to Pachysphinx modesta, with modesta being smaller and darker both as larvae and adults. Pachysphinx occidentalis eggs are quite large and a translucent pale green. Larvae, relatively stout, feed on cottonwood and poplar (Populus) and willow (Salix), and have a white horn. unlikely possibility 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. 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 or third instar larva rests on pin cherry. The "red heart" marking readily identifies this species. There can be varying degrees of lateral red markings. 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 Aellopos titan WO, the Titan Sphinx. . Larvae feed on seven year apple, Casasia clusiifolia, common buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis, and white indigoberry, Randia mitis. Randia monantha, Randia aculeata, Albizzia adinocephala and Randia grandifolia, all in the madder family (Rubiaceae), also serve as hosts. rare Erinnyis domingonis WO, the Dominican Sphinx. This moth flies in Haiti and Jamaica south to Paraguay and Bolivia with occasional sightings in Texas and Arizona. This species might be present in Oklahoma County as a very rare stray. Sorry, no larval image available at this time. Erinnyis ello WO, Ello Sphinx. Papaya (Carica papaya), Cnidoscolus angustidens, poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), guava (Psidium species) and saffron plum (Bumelia angustifolia/Bumelia celastrina). Manilkara bahamensis, Willow Bustic (Bumelia salicifolia) and Painted Leaf (Poinsettia heterophylla) are also hosts. Nice socks! Larvae show considerable variation. Erinnyis obscura, Obscure Sphinx, WO. Larvae feed on Rauvolfia ligustrina, Rauvolfia tetraphylla, Stemmadenia obovata, Philibertia, Cynanchum, papaya (Carica papaya), Asclepiadaceae, Blepharodon mucronatum, White vine (Sarcostemma clausum) and Morrenia odorata. rare Hemaris diffinis SJ , Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth. Snowberry (Symphoricarpos), honeysuckle (Lonicera), Coralberry, viburnums, Blue Dogbane (Apocynum) and dwarf bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera). Horn is black with a yellow base. Hemaris thysbe WO, 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. generally more eastern species Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon SJ, 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 WO, Banded Sphinx. Larvae feed upon primrose-willow, Ludwigia (water primrose) and other plants in the evening primrose family. This hornless larva is highly variable. Look for large, dark spiracular circles and a dark line in the center of the back. 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. generally more eastern species Eumorpha vitis WO, the Vine Sphinx. Eumorpha vitis vitis larvae feed upon grape foliage (Vitis) and other vines (Cissus): Cissus pseudosicyoides and Cissus rhombifolia and Cissus sicycoides. I suspect there would be a brown form. Note five, smooth, narrow, oblique white lines. 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. Deidamia inscriptum WO, the Lettered Sphinx. Females lay translucent green eggs singly on leaves of the host plant. Grape (Vitis), ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus) all serve as larval hosts. Hyles lineata WO, 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), Fuschia. All larvae seem, however, to have the red/black swellings split by dorso-lateral lines. Proserpinus juanita WO, the Juanita Sphinx. Newly-hatched caterpillars eat their eggshells. Larvae feed on (Onagraceae) including evening primrose (Oenothera), gaura (Gaura), and willow weed (Epilobium). Michael Van Buskirk has found them on Guara biennis in Missouri. rare 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.

Eumorpha achemon, Ashby, Oklahoma, August 12, 2005, courtesy of Susan Johnston. Susan writes, "Eumorpha achemon: you can now confirm its presence in Oklahoma County. I've attached the photos of the caterpillars I found on Virginia Creeper in my backyard. I raised about nine of them."

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