Sphinx eremitus

Sphinx eremitus
Hermit sphinx

Sphinx eremitus, June 29, 2005, Peterborough, Ontario, courtesy of Tim Dyson.

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Comments, suggestions and/or additional information are welcomed by Bill.

TAXONOMY:

Family: Sphingidae, Latreille, 1802
Subfamily: Sphinginae, Latreille, 1802
Tribe: Sphingini, Latreille, 1802
Genus: Sphinx Linnaeus, 1758 ...........
Species: eremitus (Hübner, [1823])

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DISTRIBUTION:

The Hermit sphinx, Sphinx eremitus (Wing span: 2 9/16 - 2 15/16 inches (6.5 - 7.5 cm)), flies from Maine south to North Carolina into northern Georgia (James K. Adams, 2002), west to Manitoba, South Dakota and Missouri. It has been seen in southeastern North Dakota (Gerald Fauskes).

The upperside of the forewing is gray-brown with wavy lines, black dashes, and one or two small white spots near the center of the costa. The upperside of the hindwing is black with two white bands and a triangular black patch at the base. Note the golden hair on the thorax.

Sphinx eremitus, June 29, 2005, Peterborough, Ontario, courtesy of Tim Dyson.

Sphinx eremitus male courtesy of Vernon A. Brou.

FLIGHT TIMES:

Sphinx eremitus adults fly as a single brood from late June-August.

ECLOSION:

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

Sphinx eremitus, June 29, 2005, Peterborough, Ontario, courtesy of Tim Dyson.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Females call in the males with a pheromone released from a gland at the tip of the abdomen. Adults nectar at deep-throated flowers including Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), bouncing bet (Saponaria officinalis), petunia (Petunia species), and catalpa (Catalpa speciosa). David Link sends the following image of two S. eremitus nectaring at dusk from Asclepias syriaca (milkweed) blossoms in his yard in Door County, Wisconsin, July 17, 2007.

Sphinx eremitus, courtesy of David Link.

Sphinx eremitus female courtesy of Vernon A. Brou.

EGGS, LARVAE, PUPAE:

Larval hosts are various species of beebalm (Monarda fistulosa), mints (Mentha), bugleweed (Lycopis), and sage (Salvia).

Image courtesy of Gerald Fauskes.

Image courtesy of Kathleen Casses, 2001.

On August 10, 2006, Joan F. Rickert sent me this image of an immature Sphingidae larva feeding on Monarda in Taylor County, Wisconsin.

I am pretty sure it is Sphinx eremitus based on thoracic scoli and foodplant, and, since Joan reports it is only about an inch long, I suspect it is in third instar.

Congratulations to Joan on an unusual find. Hope she is able to send additional images as the larva matures.

On August 22, 2006, Joan was able to send me a series of beautiful images, confirming the larva above as Sphinx eremitus.

Sphinx eremitus, August 22, Taylor County, Wisconsin, courtesy of Joan F. Rickert.

Joan writes, "The pictures of the large Hermit Sphinx caterpillar were taken last night, August 22, in my garden on Monarda. I was very surprised to find it - it was near the base of a plant and not easy to see! I did not know it was there so I was happy to find it. The smaller one is changing colors now. Do they pupate in the ground?

I do not know if Sphinx eremitus larvae excavate a subterranean chamber in which to pupate or if they pupate in leaf litter on top of the ground. I suspect they tunnel.

Joe Garris of Sussex, New Jersey, reports larvae also feed on Collinsonia canadensis (Canada Horsebalm, Richweed, Hardhack, Heal-All, Horseweed), and he indicates "By the way, you can rear S. eremitus on the houseplant, Coleus.

"When I was running short of fresh Collinsonia one day, it dawned on me that Coleus is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) (square stem, flowers, etc.). The caterpillars devoured it. Since my wife had lots of Coleus growing in big pots on the deck, I never fed them anything else after that."


Sphinx eremitus, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, on Salvia, courtesy of Karen Sauter.

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