PANDORUS SPHINX

PANDORUS SPHINX

Eumorpha pandorus
SPHINX MOTH FAMILY (Sphingidae)


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The Pandorus Sphinx Moth caterpillar when mature can grow to 4 inches long. They can be green, orange, pink or dark cinnamon brown. The head is shiny brown, green, orange or pink. The first 3 thoracic segments may be enlarged and peppered with black dots. The abdomen has large white oval spots with quotation marks in the center. The caudal horn is thin and coiled in the early instars. The horn becomes a button in the later instars. The adult moths are olive brown with black markings and long, pointed wings. They have a wingspan of 3.5 to 4.5 inches.

 

This species can probably be seen in small numbers every year. They feed on the underside of leaves of the host plants. The Caterpillars are more likely to be found in the fall when searching for a pupation site

 

The larvae eat the leaves of grape, ampelopsis and Virginia creeper.

 

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