Habitat
Adults: terrestrial
Immatures: terrestrial

Feeding Habits
Adults: nectar and pollen feeding
Immatures: phytophagous

North American
Species: 125

Lepidoptera Sphingidae
Sphinx moths or hornworms

Special Characteristics: These are medium to large sized moths. They have a stout, spindle-shaped body, tapering and pointed anteriorly and posteriorly. They have long narrow front wings, and small hind wings. The antennae are thicker in the middle or toward the tip. Some species have a very long proboscis. Some sphingids have no scales in some areas of the wings and are called clear wing sphinx moths. The larvae are mostly bare and many have a horn or spine on the dorsal surface of the eighth abdominal segment.

Comments: The larvae feed on a range of woody and herbaceous plants. Some larvae are considered serious pests. When the adults are feeding, they hover in front of a flower and extend their proboscis into it, similar to a hummingbird. Sphinx moths are strong fliers and most of them are active at night. The cocoon is formed among leaves on the surface of the ground.

Species:
Smerinthus jamaicensis (Drury)

Common Name:
Twin-spotted sphinx

Feeding Habits: The larvae feed on foliage of apple, birch, elm, plum, and willow trees.

Distribution:
British Columbia to Newfoundland.

Comments:
The caterpillars are green with white stripes along the sides of the body and a straight pink or blue horn on the tail.