DISTRIBUTION:

The White-lined Sphinx, Hyles lineata lineata (Wing span: 2 7/16 - 3 9/16 inches (6.3 - 9 cm)) is widespread and common from Central America north through Mexico and the West Indies to most of the United States and southern Canada. A somewhat similar moth, Hyles livornica occurs in Eurasia and Africa.

In South America it has been observed in
Bolivia: Santa Cruz: road from Valle Grande to Padilla (2250m).

Mexico;
Belize: Cayo;
Nicaragua: Madriz, Esteli, Boaco, Chinandega, Leon, Managua, Masaya, Granada;
Costa Rica: Guanacaste.

The forewing upperside is dark olive brown with paler brown along the costa and outer margin, a narrow tan band running from the wing tip to the base, and white streaks along the veins. The hindwing upperside is black with a reddish pink median band. Image courtesy of John Adams.

FLIGHT TIMES:

There are at least two broods (probably multiple broods) annually from February-November. Adults usually fly at dusk, during the night, and at dawn, but they will also fly during the day over a wide variety of open habitats including deserts, suburbs, and gardens.

During the summer of 2001 I received many requests for garden caterpillar identifications from the western and midwestern U.S. Massive population buildups occur which stimulate emigrations to colonize more northern areas, and I received emails from Minnesota asking for identification. The image below comes from Altona, Manitoba, courtesy of Liz Wieler, September 12, 2005.

Liz writes, "I saw your website on the above moth, thanks to a friend of mine.

"I found it interesting. I had no idea what this was. I've seen them here the last couple of years, and I caught this one last night at dusk and after just a bit of rain.

"Do they overwinter here?"

I do not think this species overwinters in Canada as I have no reports of spring or early summer sightings, except for British Columbia where mild winters can be tolerated.

ECLOSION:

Pupae probably wiggle to surface from subterranean chambers just prior to eclosion.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Females call in the males with a pheromone released from a gland at the tip of the abdomen.

On the wing in broad daylight, this species, with its striking colors, is a welcome visitor to the home garden. Adults nectar from a variety of flowers including columbines, larkspurs, petunia, honeysuckle, moonvine, bouncing bet, lilac, clovers, thistles, bergamot, spotted jewelweed, hosta and Jimpson weed. Image courtesy of William Hark.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Kathy Kloba from Austin, Texas, reports larva feeding on Gaura lindheimerii mid April, 2006.

Photo courtesy of Scott Smith.

June 24, 1978, Hawthorne, California © Donald H. Gudehus

May 14, 1978, Hawthorne, California, © Donald H. Gudehus Boerhaavia caribaea has been reported as a larval host on the Galapagos Islands.

April 25, 2003, San Antonio, Texas, courtesy of Ron Aaron.

Very dark Hyles lineata, eating Guara, April 18, 2007, courtesy of Carol, Eagle Pass area,
(on the TX-MX border WSW of San Antonio), via Mike Quinn, id by Bill Oehlke.

Those who first published descriptions and assigned scientific names to many insects, simply chose names of biblical or mythological origin without any real descriptive qualities. Their purpose was simply to set a standard for purposes of identification by assigned name. On some occasions, names, mostly of Latin or Greek origin, were chosen to signify a particular character of the genus or of an individual species.

In Greek mythology, Hyles is one of the centaur warriors who fights against the lapiths.

The species name, "lineata", is descriptive of the little lines across the forewings.

The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion. It is based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.

The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages, are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal ears as they read.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

Visit Hyles lineata pupa and emerged moth courtesy of Karen Perizzolo.

Visit Hyles lineata larva, Arizona, courtesy of David Bygott.

Visit Hyles lineata moth, British Columbia, Canada, courtesy of Marius Aurelian.

Visit Hyles lineata moth, Zacatecas, Mexico, courtesy of Jean Haxaire.

Vist Hyles lineata female, fifth instar and pupa (three views) from Cordoba, Argentina, courtesy of Nigel Venters.

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