Hornworm
Guides
Agrius cingulata
pink-spotted hawkmoth, sweetpotato hornworm
Agrius cingulata is a large sphingid moth with broad neotropical distribution extending northward through migratory behavior. Adults are nocturnal nectar feeders with exceptionally long proboscises, while larvae are robust hornworms that feed voraciously on Convolvulaceae, particularly sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), causing significant agricultural damage. The species has been documented as a "nectar thief" of rare orchids, removing nectar without providing pollination services.
Citheronia
Citheronia is a genus of giant silk moths (Saturniidae) established by Jacob Hübner in 1819. The genus comprises approximately 20 species distributed across the Americas, from the United States through Mexico, Central America, and into South America as far as Argentina. The genus is notable for its large, striking caterpillars—such as the famous "hickory horned devil" of C. regalis—which bear prominent horn-like projections and undergo dramatic morphological changes between instars. Adults are characterized by reduced or non-functional mouthparts and short adult lifespans devoted primarily to reproduction.
Citheronia regalis
Regal Moth, Royal Walnut Moth
Citheronia regalis is a large North American saturniid moth known as the regal moth or royal walnut moth. Its larval stage, the hickory horned devil, is one of the largest caterpillars in North America north of Mexico and is notable for its striking appearance with prominent red and black horns. Adults have vestigial mouthparts and do not feed, living only about a week to mate and lay eggs. The species has a single generation per year throughout most of its range.
Coloradia pandora pandora
Pandora sphinx moth
Coloradia pandora pandora is a subspecies of the Pandora sphinx moth, a large saturniid moth native to North and Middle America. Adults are characterized by their heavy-bodied, streamlined form and rapid, powerful flight. The subspecies is primarily distinguished by geographic distribution and subtle morphological differences from other Coloradia pandora subspecies. Larvae are hornworms that feed on grape family plants, particularly Virginia creeper.
Cotesia congregata
Hornworm Parasitoid Wasp
Cotesia congregata is a gregarious endoparasitoid wasp and a model organism in insect physiology research. Females oviposit eggs into caterpillar hosts, primarily tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) and tomato hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata), simultaneously injecting a symbiotic polydnavirus (CcBV) and venom. The virus suppresses host immune defenses and disrupts development, allowing wasp larvae to complete their growth inside the living host. Mature larvae emerge through the host cuticle and spin white silk cocoons on the exterior surface. The wasp exhibits post-emergence learning of host plant cues, with a critical learning window of 0–4 hours after adult emergence.
Darapsa choerilus
Azalea Sphinx
Darapsa choerilus, commonly known as the azalea sphinx, is a sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae. It occurs in eastern North America from the United States through southern Canada. The species was first described by Pieter Cramer in 1779. Adults are medium-sized moths with a wingspan of 57–75 mm. Larvae feed on azalea (Rhododendron) and Viburnum species.
Darapsa myron
Virginia creeper sphinx, Green Grapevine Sphinx
Darapsa myron is a sphinx moth native to central and eastern North America. Adults have a wingspan of 2–3 inches, with green-brown striped forewings and orange hindwings. Larvae, known as hornworms, feed on Virginia creeper and grape family plants. The species produces multiple broods annually, with larvae capable of maturing in as few as three weeks. Adults are nocturnal, visiting lights and sugar baits, and are most active from sunset to midnight.
Dolba hyloeus
Pawpaw Sphinx
Dolba hyloeus, the pawpaw sphinx, is a moth in the family Sphingidae. It is the only species in the genus Dolba. The species is found throughout the eastern United States, where it has been documented from Maine to Florida and west to Wisconsin, Oklahoma, and Texas. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. The common name reflects the larval association with pawpaw trees (Asimina species).
Erinnyis
Erinnyis is a genus of sphinx moths (Sphingidae) established by Jacob Hübner in 1819, containing approximately 11 species distributed across the Americas. Several species, notably E. ello and E. alope, are significant agricultural pests whose larvae feed on economically important plants including cassava, rubber, and papaya. The genus is characterized by medium to large hawkmoths with robust bodies and relatively narrow forewings. Eggs of E. ello are known to be parasitized by multiple Trichogramma wasp species.
Eumorpha
sphinx moths, hawk moths
Eumorpha is a New World genus of sphinx moths (Sphingidae) comprising 26 described species distributed primarily across North, Central, and South America. The genus is characterized by variable larval eyespots—circular markings on the posterior body segments that function in predator deterrence. Molecular phylogenetic studies indicate Eumorpha originated in Central and South America and subsequently expanded into North America. Adults are medium to large hawkmoths with rapid, agile flight; many species are crepuscular or nocturnal flower visitors. Larvae are hornworms that feed primarily on members of the grape family (Vitaceae), though host plant associations vary among species.
Eumorpha achemon
Achemon Sphinx, Grape Sphinx
Eumorpha achemon, commonly known as the Achemon Sphinx or Grape Sphinx, is a large sphinx moth native to North America. Adults are notable for their attractive pink hindwings, which contrast with their cryptic forewings. The species is considered uncommon throughout its range and is the only member of its genus found in California. Larvae are large hornworms that feed exclusively on grape leaves.
Eumorpha intermedia
Intermediate Sphinx
Eumorpha intermedia is a sphinx moth (Sphingidae) described by Benjamin Preston Clark in 1917. It is found in the southeastern United States, with adults active from spring through fall. The species is most readily distinguished from close relatives by wing coloration and pattern, particularly the pink-tinged forewing underside. Larvae feed on woody vines in the grape family.
Hemaris aethra
Diervilla Clearwing
A day-flying hawkmoth native to northern North America. Adults are bumblebee mimics with clear wings and fuzzy bodies, hovering at flowers to feed on nectar. Elevated to species status in 2018 after long being considered a subspecies of H. diffinis; the two species remain extremely difficult to distinguish visually where they co-occur.
Hemaris diffinis
Snowberry Clearwing, Hummingbird Moth, Flying Lobster, Bumblebee Sphinx Moth
Hemaris diffinis is a day-flying sphinx moth notable for its bumblebee mimicry and clear, scale-free wing patches. Adults hover at flowers to feed on nectar using an exceptionally long proboscis. The species was historically confused with the cryptic Hemaris aethra in eastern North America, distinguished only recently through molecular and morphological analysis. Larvae are hornworm caterpillars that feed on various host plants including honeysuckle and snowberry.
Hemaris thysbe
Hummingbird Clearwing, Hummingbird Clearwing Moth, Hummingbird Sphinx Moth, Common Clearwing
Hemaris thysbe is a diurnal hawkmoth known for its hummingbird-like flight and transparent wings. Adults hover at flowers to feed on nectar using an exceptionally long proboscis. The species exhibits significant color variation across its range, with northern and western populations typically showing smooth wing borders and lighter coloration, while southern and eastern populations tend toward darker colors with jagged wing borders. It is a migratory species with one generation per year in northern regions and two in the south.
Manduca
hornworms, hawkmoths, sphinx moths
Manduca is a genus of hawkmoths (Sphingidae) established by Jacob Hübner in 1807. The genus contains approximately 70 species distributed primarily in the Americas. Several species, notably Manduca sexta (tobacco hornworm) and M. quinquemaculata (tomato hornworm), are extensively studied as model organisms in biological research due to their large size and ease of laboratory rearing. The larvae, commonly called hornworms, are significant agricultural pests of solanaceous crops.
Manduca brontes
Manduca brontes is a sphinx moth (Sphingidae) first described by Dru Drury in 1773. The species occurs in the Caribbean region and northern South America. Adults are known to be active from April to June in Florida. Larvae feed on several host plant species including Tecoma and Fraxinus.
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.
Pachylioides resumens
Lesser Ficus Sphinx
Pachylioides resumens is a sphingid moth distributed across the Neotropics from Argentina north through Central America and the Caribbean, with occasional strays reaching the southern United States. The species is commonly known as the Lesser Ficus Sphinx, reflecting its association with Ficus host plants. It belongs to the tribe Dilophonotini within the subfamily Macroglossinae. The species was originally described by Francis Walker in 1856 under the basionym Pachylia resumens.
Pseudosphinx
tetrio sphinx, giant gray sphinx, frangipani hornworm, plumeria caterpillar, Rasta caterpillar
Pseudosphinx is a monotypic moth genus in the family Sphingidae, containing only Pseudosphinx tetrio. The genus is notable for its highly specialized herbivory on toxic Apocynaceae plants and its striking aposematic larval coloration. Adults are large brown sphinx moths with 12.7–14 cm wingspans. The caterpillars are among the largest hornworms in the Americas, exceeding 15 cm in length, and are serious defoliators of ornamental Plumeria species throughout the tropical and subtropical Americas.
Sphingidae
sphinx moths, hawk moths, hornworms, hummingbird moths
The Sphingidae are a family of moths comprising approximately 1,450 species, best represented in tropical regions but occurring worldwide. Members are moderate to large in size with exceptional flight capabilities, including sustained hovering and rapid, agile maneuvering that rivals hummingbirds. Their streamlined bodies and narrow wings represent convergent evolution with nectar-feeding birds and bats. The family includes economically significant species: some adults are important pollinators with extremely long proboscises, while larval hornworms are major agricultural pests on solanaceous crops.
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 poecila
poecila sphinx, Northern Apple Sphinx
Sphinx poecila, commonly known as the poecila sphinx or Northern Apple Sphinx, is a moth in the family Sphingidae. It is a medium-sized sphinx moth with a wingspan of 68–95 mm. The species is found in northeastern North America, ranging from Newfoundland and Maine south to Pennsylvania and west to Michigan, northeastern Illinois, and Wisconsin. Larvae feed on a diverse array of host plants including Rosa carolina, Picea glauca, Larix laricina, and various species in the genera Alnus, Malus, Myrica, and Vaccinium.