Sphingidae
Guides
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.
Smerinthinae
Eyed hawkmoths
Smerinthinae is a subfamily of hawkmoths (Sphingidae) characterized by adults with reduced, non-functional mouthparts. Adults do not feed and rely entirely on larval energy reserves. The subfamily includes three tribes: Ambulycini, Smerinthini, and Sphingulini. Many species display prominent eyespot patterns on the hindwings used in defensive displays.
Smerinthus astarte
Drowsy-eyed Sphinx
Smerinthus astarte is a sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae, currently treated as a synonym of Smerinthus cerisyi by most authorities. The species is known from western North America, with records from Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Vermont. The caterpillars feed on aspen, cottonwood, and willow foliage. Adults are nocturnal and possess distinctive eyespot patterns on the hindwings.
Smerinthus jamaicensis
Twin-spotted Sphinx
Smerinthus jamaicensis, commonly known as the Twin-spotted Sphinx, is a moth in the family Sphingidae. It is widely distributed across North America, ranging from the Yukon southward throughout most of the continent, though absent from the southern half of western California. The species belongs to a genus of sphinx moths characterized by their robust bodies and distinctive wing patterns.
Smerinthus ophthalmica
Western Eyed Sphinx
Smerinthus ophthalmica is a sphinx moth (family Sphingidae) found in western North America. Originally described by Boisduval in 1855, it was long treated as a synonym or subspecies of S. cerisyi until elevated to full species status in 2010 based on morphological and genetic differences. It is distinguished from S. cerisyi by a pale brown phenotype, less scalloped forewing margins, smoother postmedian lines, sharper antemedian line angle, and narrower male antennal serrations. The species is known to lay eggs readily on illuminated sheets during moth-attracting events.
Smerinthus saliceti
Salicet sphinx, Salicet Sphinx Moth
Smerinthus saliceti, commonly known as the Salicet sphinx, is a moth in the family Sphingidae first described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1875. This medium-sized sphinx moth has a wingspan of 67–89 mm and is found in riparian habitats from Mexico City northward through western Texas, Arizona, and into extreme southern California. Adults are active from April to September, with evidence suggesting two generations per year. The species is associated with willow and other riparian vegetation.
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 asellus
Asellus Sphinx, asellus sphinx moth
Sphinx asellus is a sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae, first described by Rothschild and Jordan in 1903. It inhabits arid woodlands of the southwestern United States, where adults fly during late spring and early summer. The species has a single annual generation and larvae feed on manzanita species.
Sphinx dollii
Doll's Sphinx, Doll's Sphinx Moth
Sphinx dollii is a medium-sized sphinx moth (Sphingidae) native to arid regions of the southwestern United States. Adults have a wingspan of 45–63 mm and are active from June to August. The species is univoltine, with larvae feeding exclusively on Juniperus species.
Sphinx drupiferarum
wild cherry sphinx
Sphinx drupiferarum, the wild cherry sphinx, is a moth in the family Sphingidae. The species was first described by James Edward Smith in 1797. It is found across temperate North America from the United States to southern Canada. The wingspan ranges from 75–115 mm. The larvae feed on several woody plant genera including Prunus, Malus, and Celtis.
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.
Sphinx luscitiosa
Clemens' Sphinx, Clemens' hawkmoth
Sphinx luscitiosa, commonly known as Clemens' Sphinx or Clemens' hawkmoth, is a North American sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae. It was first described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1859. The species has a single generation per year, with adults active in early summer. Larvae feed on a variety of woody plants including willow, poplar, apple, ash, bayberry, and birch.
Sphinx oslari
Sphinx oslari is a species of sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae. It is one of numerous species in the genus Sphinx, which includes several North American hawkmoths. The species is poorly documented in available literature, with limited information on its biology, distribution, and ecology. Like other sphinx moths, adults likely have strong flight capabilities and are nocturnal or crepuscular in activity.
Sphinx sequoiae
Sequoia Sphinx
Sphinx sequoiae is a small sphinx moth native to western North America, ranging from Oregon through California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and into northern Baja California. It is the smallest species in its genus besides Sphinx dollii, with which it is sometimes confused despite occupying different geographic ranges. The species completes one generation annually, with adults active from May through August.
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.
Sphinx vashti
Vashti Sphinx
Sphinx vashti, the Vashti sphinx, is a moth in the family Sphingidae. It is found in western North America from British Columbia to Manitoba and south to southern California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas. The species exhibits highly variable forewing coloration ranging from pale to very dark gray, with distinctive black dashes and a black hindwing featuring white bands. It has one brood per year.
Xylophanes
Xylophanes is a genus of hawkmoths (Sphingidae) containing over 120 described species, making it the most taxonomically diverse genus in the family. The genus originated in Caribbean-Mesoamerica during the Late Miocene and subsequently diversified across Neotropical bioregions through a two-phase pattern involving high speciation rates in the Andes and Caribbean-Mesoamerica followed by dispersal to Amazonia. Members are strong fliers with high dispersal ability and function as pollinators in their ecosystems.
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.
Xylophanes pluto
Pluto sphinx
Xylophanes pluto, commonly known as the Pluto sphinx, is a hawkmoth in the family Sphingidae. It is distinguished from congeners by a prominent broad chrome-yellow band across the wings. The species occurs from Argentina northward through Central America to the southern United States, with multiple generations per year in Florida and Texas and year-round activity in tropical regions. Larvae feed on specific host plants including Chiococca, Erythroxylum, Hamelia patens, and Morinda royoc.
Xylophanes tersa
Tersa Sphinx
Xylophanes tersa, commonly known as the tersa sphinx, is a moth in the family Sphingidae first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1771. It occurs across a broad geographic range from the eastern and central United States through Mexico, the West Indies, Central America, and into South America. The species is notable for its distinctive wing pattern and is recognized as a pollinator with documented larval associations with multiple plant genera.