Harrison County, Mississippi
Sphingidae

Enyo lugubris, Long Beach, Harrison County, Mississippi,
October 4, 2009, courtesy of Ashley Geil

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

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Ashley Geil who sent me the images of the Enyo lugubris caterpillars at the top and bottom of this page.

Ashley writes, "I live in Long Beach, Mississippi. Recently I came across some larvae feeding on Ampelopsis that appear to be Enyo lugubris. The interesting thing is that there seem to be several different color variations. Some are the green with white, others are green with brown markings, and one is pink. The pink larva seems to prefer the reddish new growth. I've been unable to find any information on color variations in Enyo lugubris, and was wondering if you've ever seen or heard of it. Thanks so much for your' time."

I replied, "Very nice pictures, all of Enyo lugubris. Like many Sphingidae species, larvae show considerable variation. I would like permission to post your images, credited to you, so others will be aware of the variation?"

Many thanks also to Lauren Callihan Schrantz, of Pass Christian, who sends the following image of an Eumorpha fasciatus larva.

Eumorpha fasciatus fifth instar, Pass Christian, Harrison County, Mississippi,
September 5, 2010, courtesy of Lauren Callihan Schrantz.

Lauren writes, "I found this caterpillar on our rope swing hanging from an oak tree in Pass Christian, MS. He's about 3 inches and fat. He moves pretty fast. Reddish brown and has some darker striping. We are dying to know what it is."

Fourty-six Sphingidae species are listed for Mississippi on the U.S.G.S. website. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Harrison County (Twenty-seven are reported on U.S.G.S.). It is hoped that this checklist, with the thumbnails and notes, will help you quickly identify the larvae/caterpillars you are likely to encounter.

A "WO" after the species name indicates that I have no confirmed reports of this species in Harrison County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this species is present or might be present. A "USGS" indicates the moth is reported on the USGS 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.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Agrius cingulata, USGS, Pink-spotted hawkmoth. Larvae feed on plants in Convolvulaceae family, especially Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato) and Solanaceae family, especially (Datura) (jimsonweed) and related plants in the Americas. Also a brown form. Look for very large, dark spiracular circles. Ceratomia amyntor WO, the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and cherry (Prunus). There are both green and brown forms. The four horns near the head are diagnostic. Ceratomia catalpae USGS, the Catalpa Sphinx Young caterpillars feed gregariously on Catalpa species (Catalpa bignoniodes and C. speciosa) in the Bignoniaceae family, skeletonizing the foliage. Larvae are mostly white in early instars. Ceratomia hageni WO, Hagen's Sphinx or Osage Orange Sphinx Larvae feed on osage orange (Maclura pomifera), and they have a granulous appearance with variable amounts of purple along the oblique white stripes. doubtful possibility Ceratomia undulosa USGS, the Waved Sphinx Fraxinus, Ligustrum, Quercus, Crataegus and Chionanthus virginicus are listed as hosts. In the fifth instar, the spiracular ovals are decidedly red and the anal horn is off-white to pinkish laterally. Dolba hyloeus USGS, the Pawpaw Sphinx Larvae feed on pawpaw (Asimina triloba), littleleaf sweetfern (Myrica aspleniifolia), possum haw (Ilex decidua), and inkberry (Ilex glabra) as well as Tall Gallberry Holly (Ilex coriacea). Louis Handfield reports larvae probably feed on Ilex verticellata in Quebec. Isoparce cupressi USGS, Cypress or Baldcypress Sphinx. Larvae feed on needles of baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) at night and pupate in shallow underground burrows where second generation overwinters. Lapara coniferarum USGS,, the Southern Pine Sphinx Larvae feed upon various pine species, including loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and longleaf pine (P. pinaster). They are well camouflaged and are without an anal horn. Lapara phaeobrachycerous USGS, the Gulf Pine Sphinx Larvae probably feed upon various pine species, including loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and longleaf pine (Pinus pinaster). Manduca jasminearum USGS, the Ash Sphinx Larvae feed on ash in the Fraxinus genus. Syringa and Ulmus have also been reported. Note the black anal horn. Manduca quinquemaculatus USGS, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth The caterpillars are called Tomato Hornworms and each has a black horn at the end of the abdomen. Larvae feed on potato, tobacco, tomato, and other plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae). Manduca rustica USGS, the Rustic Sphinx. Larva: numerous white nodules on top of thorax and seven pairs of oblique, blue-gray stripes along side of body. Horn: white at the base and blue-gray at tip. Many hosts utilized. Manduca sexta USGS, the Carolina Sphinx Tobacco Hornworms, equipped with a red-tipped horn at the end of the abdomen, are true gluttons and feed on tobacco and tomato, and occasionally potato and pepper crops and other plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae). Paratrea plebeja USGS, the Plebeian Sphinx Preferred hosts are common trumpetcreeper (Campsis radicans), Florida yellow-trumpet (Tecoma stans), lilac (Syringa species), and passionflower (Passiflora species). The anal horn is blue, preceded by a yellow dash. Sphinx franckii WO, Franck's Sphinx Moth Larvae feed exclusively on various species of ash (Fraxinus). Raised, pointed bumps, especially near the head and thorax give this caterpillar a reptilian appearance. Sphinx kalmiae WO, the Laurel Sphinx In the final instar, the black on the head, lateral lines, horn and on abdominal legs is diagnostic. Larvae feed primarily on lilac and fringe. Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis USGS, the Walnut Sphinx Amorpha juglandis larvae feed upon Walnut and butternut (Juglans), hickory (Carya), alder (Alnus), beech (Fagus), hazelnut (Corylus), and hop-hornbeam (Ostrya). Pachysphinx modesta WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx Larvae feed on poplars and cottonwood. Paonias astylus USGS, the Huckleberry Sphinx It would be more common in southern Massachusetts and is a relatively uncommon species. Only rarely are they seen in Maine. I never saw one in New Jersey. Paonias excaecata USGS, the Blinded Sphinx Larvae accept willows, birches, and cherries. I have also found them in the wild on oak in eastern Canada. The skin is very granulose. Paonias myops USGS, the Small-eyed Sphinx The larvae depicted is probably third instar. There may be more red spotting on the sides as larvae mature. Smerinthus jamaicensis USGS, the Twin-spotted Sphinx Larvae feed upon many forest trees including birches and cherries, but are expecially fond of poplars and willows. Red markings on sides vary greatly from specimen to specimen. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: Aellopos titan USGS, the Titan Sphinx. Larvae feed on seven year apple, Casasia clusiifolia, common buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis, and white indigoberry, Randia mitis. Randia monantha, Randia aculeata, Albizzia adinocephala and Randia grandifolia, all in the madder family (Rubiaceae), also serve as hosts. rare adult stray; unlikely Enyo lugubris, the Mournful Sphinx, USGS/AG The body and wings are dark brown. The forewing has a large black patch covering most of the outer half of the wing. There is a pale tan cell spot (dark inner pupil), and a fairly straight median line to the inside of the cell spot. Several different larval forms. Enyo lugubris, Long Beach, October 4, 2009, Ashley Geil Erinnyis ello WO, the Ello Sphinx. Larval hosts: papaya (Carica papaya), Cnidoscolus angustidens, poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), guava (Psidium species), saffron plum (Bumelia angustifolia/Bumelia celastrina). Manilkara bahamensis, Willow Bustic (Bumelia salicifolia) Painted Leaf (Poinsettia heterophylla). Nice socks! Considerable variation. adult stray; unlikely Hemaris thysbe USGS, the Hummingbird Clearwing There is also an orangey-pink prepupal form. The lateral line runs from S1 to the blue horn. Hemaris thysbe larvae feed on viburnum and related plants. Hemaris diffinis USGS, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth. Larval hosts: Snowberry (Symphoricarpos), honeysuckle (Lonicera), Coralberry, viburnums, Blue Dogbane (Apocynum), dwarf bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera). Horn black with yellow base. Pseudosphinx tetrio, the Tetrio Sphinx, WO. Caterpillars defoliate Frangipani tree (Plumeria spp.). Velvety black with yellow rings and orange head. Reach six inches long, also feed on Allamanda cathartica, probably other members of Dogbane family: Apocynaceae. rare adult stray; unlikely Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon WO, the Achemon Sphinx. Larvae feed upon Grape (Vitis), Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) and other vines and ivies (Ampelopsis). Larvae occur in both a light (green) form and a darker (tan/brown) form. Note six "segmented" oblique lines. Eumorpha fasciatus USGS/LC, the Banded Sphinx. Primrose-willow, Ludwigia (water primrose) and other plants in the evening primrose family. Hornless larva is highly variable. Look for large, dark spiracular circles and a dark line in the center of the back. Eumorpha fasciatus fifth instar, Pass Christian, September 5, 2010, courtesy of Lauren Callihan Schrantz. Eumorpha intermedia WO, the Intermediate Sphinx. Eumorpha intermedia larvae feed upon peppervine, Ampelopsis arborea. Possibly they will also accept grape (Vitis species), but so far no records of that host have been reported to my knowledge. They like to remain well hidden within tangle of vines and probably feed mostly at night. Eumorpha labruscae WO, the Gaudy Sphinx. There is a striking resemblance to a snake's head and eye, and a flattening of the thoracic segments when the head is not retracted. In Florida larvae have been found on Possum Vine (Cissus sicyoides). Cissus incisa, Cissus verticillata, Eupatorium odoratum, Ludwigia, Magnolia, Parthenocissus and Vitis vinifera are all reported hosts. adult stray; unlikely Eumorpha pandorus USGS, the Pandorus Sphinx If you have Grape or Virginia Creeper nearby, then you might encounter this species. Note the five large white ovals. There are orangey-brown and green forms also. Macroglossini tribe: Amphion floridensis WO, the Nessus Sphinix In additon to Virginia creeper larvae accept Grape (Vitis), ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), and cayenne pepper (Capsicum). Larvae are green until the final instar. Darapsa choerilus USGS, the Azalea Sphinx Larvae feed on Azalea and Viburnum and progress very rapidly. The larva to the left on Viburnum cassinoides is getting ready to pupate. Color change from green to light burgundy-brown indicates pupation is imminent. Darapsa myron USGS, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx If you have the foodplants indicated in the common names, you probably have this species nearby. The lower wings are orange. Larvae feed on Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), Grape (Vitis), Ampelopsis, and Viburnum. Darapsa versicolor WO, the Hydrangea Sphinx. Larvae turn a deep chocolate brown just prior to pupation; "horn" on tail also turns downward as pupation draws near. Darapsa versicolor larvae feed on Smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), waterwillow (Decodon verticillatus). Deidamia inscriptum USGS, the Lettered Sphinx. Grape (Vitis), ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus) all serve as larval hosts. The alternating yellow and greyish-green rings across the back distinguish this larva. Hyles lineata USGS, the White-lined Sphinx. Larvae are highly varied and feed on a 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), and Fuschia. All larvae seem, however, to have the red/black swellings split by dorso-lateral lines. Proserpinus guarae WO, the Proud Sphinx The rare and possibly endangered Proud Sphinx flies from Texas and Louisiana east to northern Florida, north to Alabama, Missouri, northern Georgia, and South Carolina. slight possibility; sorry, no larval image available Sphecodina abbottii WO, the Abbott's Sphinx Larvae feed at night on grape (Vitis) and ampelopsis (Ampelopsis) and hide on the bark of their host plants during the day. Virginia creeper would also be a suitable host. There is also a dark form without the green patches. Note the "raised eye", replacing the anal horn. Xylophanes tersa USGS, the Tersa Sphinx. Larvae feed on Borreria, Catalpa, Manettia spp. and Smooth buttonplant (Spermacoce glabra) and starclusters (Pentas species). Also recorded on joe-pie weed and Hamelia patens and on Hedoydis nigricans. The green form may be more common.

Enyo lugubris, Long Beach, Harrison County, Mississippi,
October 4, 2009, courtesy of Ashley Geil

Enyo lugubris, Long Beach, Harrison County, Mississippi,
October 4, 2009, courtesy of Ashley Geil

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