Catawba-worm

Guides

• Ceratomia catalpae

  Catalpa Sphinx, Catawba worm

  Ceratomia catalpae, the catalpa sphinx, is a hawk moth in the family Sphingidae native to southeastern North America. The species is notable for its close association with catalpa trees (Catalpa spp.), which serve as the exclusive host plants for its larvae. The caterpillars, known as "catawba worms," are highly valued as fishing bait and sequester defensive iridoid glycosides from their host plants. Adults are dull brown with distinctive wing markings and a wingspan of 65–95 mm. The species has been extensively studied for its chemical ecology, particularly the sequestration of catalpol and its interactions with the parasitoid wasp Cotesia congregata.

  sphingidaehawk-mothcatalpacatawba-wormfishing-baitchemical-defenseiridoid-glycosidesequestrationparasitoidCotesia-congregataNorth-Americaspecialist-herbivore