DISTRIBUTION:

Amorpha and Cressonia and Laothoe are often used as the genus name for this species.

The Amorpha juglandis moth (wingspan 45-75 mm; males smaller than females) flies from Maine south to Florida, west to North Dakota and west Texas, and south to Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

Amorpha juglandis, Port Neches, Jefferson County, Texas,
May 9, 2009, courtesy of Linda Williams.

The populations of Amorpha juglandis in western Ontario are the reportedly birch-feeding subspecies manitobae according to Riotte.

This species is also know as the Walnut sphinx, (Laothoe juglandis). Typical of species within the Smerinthini tribe, these moths do not feed as adults.

The adults are also highly variable; sometimes wings of an individual may be all one color or may have several colors, ranging from pale to dark brown, and may have a white or pink tinge. Patterns range from faint to pronounced.

Amorpha juglandis, Arlington (Tarrant County), Texas,
April 19, 2006, courtesy of Dale Smith.

Visit Amorpha juglandis male, Londonderry, Rockingham, New Hampshire, June 28, 2006, courtesy of Deb Lievens.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS: Amorpha juglandis adults fly from May-August in the northern part of their range, and as at least four broods in Louisiana from March-October. Amorpha juglandis larvae feed upon Walnut and butternut (Juglans), hickory (Carya), alder (Alnus), beech (Fagus), hazelnut (Corylus), and hop-hornbeam (Ostrya). Amorpha juglandis male, May 17-18, 2006, Peterborough, Ontario, courtesy of Tim Dyson. View additional Amorpha juglandis by Tim. Visit Amorpha juglandis courtesy of Alison Sklarczyk.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Moths emerge from subterranean pupae.

Cressonia juglandis female courtesy by Drees.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Caterpillars make a squeaking sound when disturbed.

This is one of the first Sphingidae I reared as a boy. I fed them on hop-hornbeam in a sleeve by our backyard pond/river in New Jersey. I wasn't ready for them when they reached maturity and didn't know they would pupate in a bucket under loose paper towelling.

Seana Saxon sends these nice images from Dallas, Texas, August 3, 2006. The pointed head (outlined in yellow), grainy skin and dominant last abdominal stripe are diagnostic.

Larval Food Plants

Listed below are primary food plant(s) and alternate food plants. It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Alnus Carya Corylus....... Fagus Juglans Ostrya

Alder Hickory Hazelnut Beech Walnut and Butternut Hop-hornbeam

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Return to Smerinthini Tribe

Enjoy some of nature's wonderments, giant silk moth cocoons. These cocoons are for sale winter and fall. Beautiful Saturniidae moths will emerge the following spring and summer. Read Actias luna rearing article. Additional online help available.

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