Hawk-moth
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.
Ceratomia hageni
Hagen's Sphinx, Osage Orange Sphinx
Ceratomia hageni is a hawk moth (family Sphingidae) native to the midwestern United States. The species is notable for its extreme dietary specialization, feeding exclusively on Maclura pomifera (Osage orange). Adults display grayish-green forewings with wavy lines and browner gray hindwings. The species was first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1874 and completes its life cycle from egg to pupation in approximately four weeks under favorable conditions.
Ceratomia undulosa
Waved Sphinx, Scorpion Moth
Ceratomia undulosa, commonly known as the waved sphinx, is a North American hawk moth (family Sphingidae) first described by Francis Walker in 1856. The species is notable for its specialized relationship with ash trees (Fraxinus) as a primary larval host, making it vulnerable to population declines following the spread of the emerald ash borer. Adults are strictly nocturnal and hide before dawn. The alternative common name "Scorpion Moth" stems from a misconception: the Guiana Striped Scorpion commonly preys on the moth's egg clusters, leading to erroneous beliefs that the moths give birth to scorpions.
Deidamia
Deidamia is a monotypic genus of sphinx moths in the family Sphingidae, established by Clemens in 1859. The genus contains a single species, Deidamia inscriptum (lettered sphinx), which occurs in North America. The genus belongs to the tribe Macroglossini within the subfamily Macroglossinae.
Enyo lugubris
Mournful Sphinx
Enyo lugubris, commonly known as the mournful sphinx, is a sphingid moth with a broad Neotropical and Nearctic distribution. Adults are medium-sized with a wingspan of 50–60 mm and are active year-round in tropical regions, with seasonal activity further north. The species exhibits two subspecies: the nominate form across most of its range, and E. l. delanoi restricted to the Galápagos Islands. Larval development occurs on various Vitaceae species.
Enyo ocypete
Swift-winged Sphinx
Enyo ocypete is a moth in the family Sphingidae, first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. It ranges from the southern United States through Central America to northern Argentina. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 60 mm. The species exhibits year-round activity in tropical regions and southern Florida, with more restricted flight periods farther north.
Erinnyis lassauxii
Lassaux's Sphinx, Lassaux's sphinx moth
Erinnyis lassauxii, known as Lassaux's Sphinx, is a moth in the family Sphingidae. The species was first described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1859. It occurs from northern Argentina through Central America into the southern United States.
Eumorpha labruscae
Gaudy Sphinx
Eumorpha labruscae, commonly known as the gaudy sphinx, is a large sphinx moth (family Sphingidae) first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. Adults display striking coloration with deep green forewings and purple-blue hindwing patches with yellow borders. The species occurs in North America with a subspecies (E. l. yupanquii) endemic to the Galápagos Islands. Larvae feed on grape family plants and pupate underground.
Eupyrrhoglossum sagra
Cuban Sphinx
Eupyrrhoglossum sagra is a medium-sized sphinx moth (Sphingidae) native to tropical and subtropical lowlands of the Caribbean and Central and South America. Adults have a wingspan of 51–53 mm and display distinctive wing patterning including a semi-transparent submarginal spot on the forewing and a median yellow band on the hindwing. The species was first described by Felipe Poey in 1832 based on Cuban specimens. Larvae feed on Rubiaceae species, with documented hosts including Guettarda and Chomelia.
Hyles lineata
white-lined sphinx, hummingbird moth
Hyles lineata is a large, abundant sphinx moth native to North and Central America, recognized for its distinctive hovering flight and striking wing pattern. Adults display a 2–3 inch wingspan with dark brown forewings marked by white longitudinal lines and black hindwings bearing a broad pink median band. The species exhibits unusual flexibility in activity patterns, flying at dusk, dawn, and occasionally during daylight hours to feed on nectar. Caterpillars show extreme color polymorphism, ranging from black with orange spots to lime green with black markings, and possess a characteristic posterior horn. This generalist feeder has been documented on over a dozen plant families and serves as a significant pollinator and occasional agricultural pest.
Isognathus rimosa
Rimosus Sphinx
Isognathus rimosa, commonly known as the Rimosus Sphinx, is a hawk moth (Sphingidae) first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1865. The species occurs across tropical and subtropical regions from northern Brazil through Central America, the West Indies, and Mexico to southern Arizona. Adults have a wingspan of 70–102 mm and feed on flower nectar, including petunias. Larvae specialize on Plumeria species.
Lintneria smithi
Smith's Sphinx
Lintneria smithi is a species of sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae, commonly known as Smith's Sphinx. It is a poorly known species with only three to four recorded locations across its restricted range in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The moth has a thick, elongated body and a wingspan of approximately 9 centimeters. Very little is known about its life history, including host plant relationships and larval development.
Manduca muscosa
Muscosa Sphinx
Manduca muscosa, the muscosa sphinx, is a large sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae. Adults have a wingspan of 100–126 mm and exhibit darker, olive-toned coloration compared to related species. The species occurs from southern Arizona through Central America, with larvae feeding on multiple host plants including Verbesina gigantea and members of the Asteraceae family.
Manduca occulta
Occult Sphinx
Manduca occulta, the occult sphinx, is a large sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae. Adults have a wingspan of 105–120 mm and are visually similar to Manduca diffissa tropicalis, requiring genital examination for definitive identification. The species occurs from Panama through Central America and Mexico to the southern United States, with occasional strays reaching southern Florida. It completes one generation per year in Costa Rica, with adults active from May to June.
Manduca quinquemaculatus
Five-spotted Hawk Moth, Tomato Hornworm
Manduca quinquemaculatus, commonly known as the five-spotted hawk moth or tomato hornworm, is a large sphinx moth whose caterpillar is a significant agricultural pest. The adult moth has a wingspan up to 5 inches (12 cm) and is a strong flier active at night. The larval stage feeds primarily on tomatoes and other Solanaceae plants, causing extensive defoliation when populations are high. The species is closely related to and often confused with the tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta).
Pachylia
Pachylia is a genus of hawk moths (Sphingidae) established by Francis Walker in 1856. The genus contains three recognized species distributed in the Neotropical region. These moths are part of the diverse Macroglossinae subfamily, characterized by their streamlined bodies and rapid flight capabilities typical of sphingids.
Paonias excaecata
Blinded Sphinx
Paonias excaecata, commonly known as the blinded sphinx, is a moth in the family Sphingidae. It occurs across much of North America, from Canada to Florida and west to California and Texas. Adults are attracted to ultraviolet lights, a trait frequently utilized by collectors and researchers for observation. The species is one of several hawk moths found in the genus Paonias, which are characterized by their robust bodies and relatively broad wings.
Paonias myops
Small-eyed Sphinx, small-eyed sphinx moth
Paonias myops, commonly known as the small-eyed sphinx, is a moth in the family Sphingidae. It was first described by James Edward Smith in 1797. The species ranges across much of North America, from southeastern Canada to Florida and westward nearly to the Pacific Coast, with additional populations in Mexico. Adults are notably more nocturnal than most sphingid moths, with flight activity primarily from June through September depending on latitude.
Paratrea plebeja
Trumpet Vine Sphinx, Plebeian Sphinx Moth
Paratrea plebeja, the Trumpet Vine Sphinx or Plebeian Sphinx Moth, is the sole member of its genus in the family Sphingidae. This hawk moth is distributed across the eastern United States and Great Plains. The species is strongly associated with trumpet vine (Campsis radicans), which serves as its primary larval host plant. Adults are crepuscular and nocturnal, with a flight period spanning late spring through summer.
Phryxus caicus
Caicus Sphinx
Phryxus caicus is a sphinx moth and the sole species in its genus. It occurs primarily in the Neotropics with occasional records from the southeastern United States. Adults fly mainly during late summer and fall in temperate regions, though activity may continue year-round in tropical areas. Larvae feed on plants in the dogbane family.
Proserpinus flavofasciata
yellow-banded day sphinx
Proserpinus flavofasciata, commonly known as the yellow-banded day sphinx, is a day-flying hawk moth native to North America. The adult is a bumblebee mimic with distinctive black and yellow coloration. The species inhabits boreal and mountain forest edges and clearings, with a distribution spanning Canada from Alaska to the Maritimes and southward to Maine and Massachusetts. Larvae feed on Epilobium and Rubus species, and the species overwinters as a pupa in soil.
Proserpinus lucidus
Pacific green sphinx, bear sphinx
Proserpinus lucidus is a small sphinx moth native to the Pacific coast of North America. Adults are active in winter from December to April, during which they do not feed. The species exhibits unusual seasonal timing among North American sphinx moths, with adults emerging and mating during the coldest months. Larvae feed on specific evening primrose relatives in the genera Clarkia and Camissonia, and possess a distinctive "bullseye" spot in place of the typical horn found in most sphinx moth caterpillars.
Proserpinus terlooii
Terloo sphinx moth, Terloo sphinx
Proserpinus terlooii is a hawk moth (family Sphingidae) native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The species is closely related to the Pine White butterfly's namesake moth, Proserpinus gaurae, with which it shares genus-level traits. Adults are nocturnal and, like other sphingids, are likely capable of sustained hovering flight. The larval host plants and detailed life history remain poorly documented in published sources.
Protambulyx strigilis
streaked sphinx
A large sphinx moth (family Sphingidae) distributed across tropical and subtropical lowlands from Florida through Central and South America. First described by Linnaeus in 1771, it is commonly known as the streaked sphinx. The species exhibits year-round activity in equatorial regions and seasonal flight periods at higher latitudes. Larvae feed on diverse host plants including species of Spondias, Anacardium, and Schinus.
Sagenosoma elsa
Elsa Sphinx, elsa sphinx moth
Sagenosoma elsa is a monotypic species of sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae, known as the Elsa Sphinx. It is the sole member of its genus and occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species was first described by Strecker in 1878 under the name Sphinx elsa. Like other sphingid moths, adults are likely capable of sustained hovering flight and rapid, agile movement.
Sphecodina abbottii
Abbott's sphinx
Abbott's sphinx is a North American hawk moth notable for its bee-mimicking flight and highly cryptic larval camouflage. Adults display violet-grey forewings with bark-like patterning and yellow-banded underwings. The caterpillars exhibit remarkable polymorphism, with some forms mimicking grapes while others resemble dead wood.
Sphinx
sphinx moth, hawk moth, hummingbird moth
Sphinx is a genus of moths in the family Sphingidae, first described by Linnaeus in 1758. These moths are commonly known as sphinx moths, hawk moths, or hummingbird moths due to their rapid, hovering flight and large size. The genus includes several ash-specialist species that have become conservation concerns due to decline of their host trees from emerald ash borer infestation. The name derives from the caterpillar's defensive posture when disturbed—rearing up with head retracted, resembling the Egyptian sphinx.
Sphinx vanbuskirki
Sphinx vanbuskirki is a species of sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae, described by Haxaire in 2020. As a recently described species, detailed information about its biology and ecology remains limited. It belongs to the genus Sphinx, which includes medium to large-sized moths commonly known as sphinx or hawk moths.
Xylophanes falco
Falcon Sphinx
Xylophanes falco is a medium-sized sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae, commonly known as the Falcon Sphinx. It occurs from Central America through Mexico into the southwestern United States. Adults are distinguished from similar species by their pale brown-beige coloration, more falcate forewings, and sharply defined wing pattern lines. The species inhabits oak woodlands and riparian corridors.