Madison County, Alabama, and Nearby Counties:
Lauderdale; Limestone; Jackson; Colbert; Franklin; Lawrence; Morgan;
Marshall; Dekalb; Walker; Marion; Calhoun; Blount; Etowah; Cleburne
Sphingidae Larvae

Eumorpha achemon, Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama,
October 7, 2012, courtesy of Chris, Lyn and Riley Watson.

For care of "found larvae/caterpillars" visit Manduca sexta larva, central Texas, August 21, 2008, Trina Woodall.

Most Sphingidae larvae have a characteristic anal horn. In some species, members of the Lapara, Eumorpha, Proserpinus and Specodina genera, the anal horn is absent or is replaced by an only slightly raised "eye" in the final instar.

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Chris, Lyn and Riley Watson who provide the Eumorpha achemon larval image at top of page.

Unfortunately I see what appears to be a parasitoid exit wound on the dorsal side of the fifth whitish lateral marking. If I am correct, this larva will never become an adult moth.

Although this page was created to cover Madison County, I feel it is also valid for surrounding counties of Lauderdale; Limestone; Jackson; Colbert; Franklin; Lawrence; Morgan; Marshall; Dekalb; Walker; Marion; Calhoun; Blount; Etowah; Cleburne.

Twenty-seven Sphingidae species are listed for Alabama on the U.S.G.S. (now BAMONA) website. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Madison County (Four are reported on BAMONA as of October 7, 2012). It is hoped that this checklist, with the thumbnails and notes, will help you quickly identify the caterpillars you are likely to encounter.

A "WO" after the species name indicates that I have no confirmed reports of this species in Madison County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present or might be present. A "BAMONA" indicates the moth is reported on the BAMONA website and/or in Lepidoptera of North America, #1. Distribution of Silkmoths (Saturniidae) and Hawkmoths (Sphingidae) of Eastern North America, an excellent little booklet available through Paul Opler.

Please help me develop this list with improved, documented accuracy by sending sightings (species, date, location), preferably with an electronic image, via email to Bill Oehlke.

Please also send yor sighitngs to BAMONA.

The night-blooming moon flower will attract many Sphingidae at dusk and into the night.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Agrius cingulata, WO, Pink-spotted Hawkmoth: Larvae: Convolvulaceae family, especially Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato); Solanaceae family, especially (Datura) (jimsonweed) related plants in Americas. Also brown form. Look for very large, dark spiracular circles. Ceratomia amyntor WO, Elm Sphinx/Four-horned Sphinx Larvae: Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), cherry (Prunus). Both green and brown forms. Four horns near head are diagnostic. Ceratomia catalpae WO, Catalpa Sphinx Young larvae feed gregariously on Catalpa species (Catalpa bignoniodes and C. speciosa) in Bignoniaceae family, skeletonizing foliage. Larvae: mostly white in early instars. Ceratomia hageni WO, Hagen's Sphinx/Osage Orange Sphinx Larvae: osage orange (Maclura pomifera), granulous appearance with variable amounts of purple along oblique white stripes. Ceratomia undulosa WO, Waved Sphinx Fraxinus, Ligustrum, Quercus, Crataegus and Chionanthus virginicus are listed as hosts. In fifth instar, spiracular ovals decidedly red & anal horn is off-white to pinkish laterally. Dolba hyloeus WO, Pawpaw Sphinx Larvae: pawpaw (Asimina triloba), littleleaf sweetfern (Myrica aspleniifolia), possum haw (Ilex decidua), inkberry (Ilex glabra); Tall Gallberry Holly (Ilex coriacea). Louis Handfield reports larvae probably feed on Ilex verticellata in Quebec. Lapara coniferarum WO, Southern Pine Sphinx: Larvae: various pine species, including loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) & longleaf pine (P. pinaster). Well camouflaged and are without an anal horn. Lapara phaeobrachycerous WO, Gulf Pine Sphinx Larvae probably feed upon various pine species, including loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) & longleaf pine (Pinus pinaster). Manduca jasminearum WO, Ash Sphinx Larvae feed on ash in the Fraxinus genus. Syringa and Ulmus have also been reported. Note the black anal horn. Manduca quinquemaculatus WO, Five-spotted Hawkmoth Caterpillars called Tomato Hornworms; black horn at end of abdomen. Larvae: potato, tobacco, tomato, other plants in nightshade family (Solanaceae). Manduca rustica WO, Rustic Sphinx: Numerous white nodules atop thorax, seven pairs of oblique, blue-gray stripes along body side. Horn white base & blue-gray tip. Many hosts. Manduca sexta BAMONA, Carolina Sphinx Tobacco Hornworms, equipped with red-tipped horn at end of abdomen, true gluttons, feed on tobacco, tomato, & occasionally potato & pepper crops & other plants in & nightshade family (Solanaceae). Paratrea plebeja WO, Plebeian Sphinx Common trumpetcreeper (Campsis radicans), Florida yellow-trumpet (Tecoma stans), lilac (Syringa species), passionflower (Passiflora species). Anal horn blue, preceded by yellow dash. Sphinx drupiferarum WO, Wild Cherry Sphinx Larvae hide in day, feed primarily on cherry, plum, apple at night. Amelanchier nantuckensis in Massachusetts,d have been reared to pupation in Michigan on Prunus serotina. Note purple oblique lines. Sphinx franckii WO, Franck's Sphinx Moth Larvae feed exclusively on various species of ash (Fraxinus). Raised, pointed bumps, especially near head & thorax give this larva reptilian appearance. Sphinx kalmiae WO, Laurel Sphinx In final instar, black on head, lateral lines, horn and on abdominal legs is diagnostic. Lilac and fringe. Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis WO, Walnut Sphinx Walnut & butternut (Juglans), hickory (Carya), alder (Alnus), beech (Fagus), hazelnut (Corylus), hop-hornbeam (Ostrya). Pachysphinx modesta WO, Modest Sphinx/Poplar Sphinx Larvae feed on poplars, cottonwood. Anal horn greatly reduced in final instar. Paonias astylus WO, Huckleberry Sphinx March-September in Florida & from April-September in Louisiana. One brood northward from June-August. Blueberry; huckleberry; cherry, willow. Uncommon species. Paonias excaecata WO, the Blinded Sphinx Willows, birches, cherries. I have also found them in the wild on oak in eastern Canada. Skin very granulose. Paonias myops WO, Small-eyed Sphinx The larvae depicted is probably third instar. There may be more red spotting on the sides as larvae mature. Smerinthus jamaicensis WO, Twin-spotted Sphinx Many forest trees including birches & cherries, especially fond of poplars & willows. Red markings on sides vary greatly from specimen to specimen. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: Hemaris diffinis BAMONA, Snowberry Clearwing/Bumblebee Moth Snowberry (Symphoricarpos), honeysuckle (Lonicera), Coralberry, viburnums, Blue Dogbane (Apocynum); dwarf bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera). Horn black with yellow base. Hemaris thysbe BAMONA, Hummingbird Clearwing orangey-pink prepupal form. Lateral line runs from S1 to blue horn. Hemaris thysbe larvae feed on viburnum and related plants. Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon CLRw, Achemon Sphinx: Grape (Vitis), Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) & other vines & ivies (Ampelopsis). Light (green) form, a reddish-orange form, & darker (tan/brown) form. Note six "segmented" oblique lines. Eumorpha achemon, Huntsville, October 7, 2012, Chris, Lyn and Riley Watson Eumorpha fasciatus WO, Banded Sphinx: primrose-willow, Ludwigia (water primrose) other plants in evening primrose family. Hornless larva highly variable. Large, dark spiracular circles & dark line in center of back. Eumorpha pandorus BAMONA, Pandorus Sphinx If you have Grape or Virginia Creeper nearby, then you might encounter this species. Note e five large white ovals. Orangey-brown & green forms also. Macroglossini tribe: Amphion floridensis WO, Nessus Sphinix Vitis), ampelopsis (Ampelopsis); cayenne pepper (Capsicum). Larvae green until final instar. Darapsa choerilus WO, Azalea Sphinx Larvae: Azalea, Viburnum, progress very rapidly. Larva to left on Viburnum cassinoides is getting ready to pupate. Color change from green to light burgundy-brown indicates imminent pupation. Darapsa myron WO, Virginia Creeper Sphinx/Grapevine Sphinx If you have foodplants indicated in common names, you probably have this species nearby. Lower wings orange. Larvae: Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), Grape (Vitis), Ampelopsis, Viburnum. Darapsa versicolor WO, Hydrangea Sphinx: Larvae turn deep chocolate brown just prior to pupation, "horn" on tail also turns downward as pupation draws near. Larvae:Smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), waterwillow (Decodon verticillatus). Deidamia inscriptum WO, the Lettered Sphinx Grape (Vitis), ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), & Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus). Alternating yellow & greyish-green rings across back distinguish this larva. Hyles lineata WO, White-lined Sphinx: Larvae: highly varied; feed on great diversity of plants including willow weed (Epilobium), four o'clock (Mirabilis), apple (Malus), evening primrose (Oenothera), elm (Ulmus), grape (Vitis), tomato (Lycopersicon), purslane (Portulaca), Fuschia. All larvae seem, however, to have red/black swellings split by dorso-lateral lines. Proserpinus guarae WO, Proud Sphinx Larvae: (Onagraceae) including evening primrose (Oenothera), gaura (Gaura), & willow weed (Epilobium). rare Sphecodina abbottii WO, Abbott's Sphinx: Larvae feed at night on grape (Vitis) & ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), hide on bark during day. Virginia creeper would also suitable host. Dark form without green patches. Note "raised eye", replacing anal horn. Xylophanes tersa WO, Tersa Sphinx: Larvae: Borreria, Catalpa, Manettia spp., Smooth buttonplant (Spermacoce glabra), starclusters (Pentas species). Also recorded on joe-pie weed & Hamelia patens & Hedoydis nigricans. The green form may be more common.

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Please send sightings/images to Bill. I will do my best to respond to requests for identification help.