Laurel-sphinx
Guides
Sphinx kalmiae
laurel sphinx
Sphinx kalmiae, commonly known as the laurel sphinx, is a hawkmoth in the family Sphingidae. The species was named by James Edward Smith after Kalmia, the plant on which its caterpillar was first observed. It is an ash-specialist moth whose larvae feed on several host plants including ash, lilac, and mountain laurel. The species faces conservation concerns due to the decline of ash trees from emerald ash borer invasion.