Kingdom – Animalia
Phylum – Arthropoda
Class – Insecta
Order – Lepidoptera
Family – Sphingidae
Found in North America, Central America, islands of La Croix of the Virgin Islands.
This month we are discussing the Sphinx moth, also known as the Hawk Moth, one of the largest moths in the Lepidoptera order. This moth was first discovered in 1862 by Charles Darwin on an orchid plant. The Sphinx moth has seen a decline in recent years, as have some it’s nighttime pollinator sources including Datura and Queen of the Night. This symbiotic relationship is in jeopardy due to the lack of habitat for the caterpillars and pupae. These moths usually measure between 2 ½ – 3 ½ inches, have fat furry brown bodies, with 5 white stripes. They have 2 sets of wings, the top set is elongated. The caterpillars will burrow in the leaf litter and emerge several weeks after pupating.
Sphinx Moths can be found in all parts of the world, with up to 2 broads per year, usually emerging at dusk in the spring and fall seasons. Sphinx Moths are super-important pollinators for a few reasons. First, they pollinate at night! This is critical for our night-blooming natives that are only open after dark. Second, they have one of the longest tongues of any other moth or butterfly and are critical for pollinating tubular flower types like lilies, the sacred Datura, and the Queen-of-the-night cactus. Some types of Sphinx Moths have tongues longer than their bodies. And last but not least, they are strong fliers and able to fly long distances, sometimes helping carry pollen over many miles and even across island chains, which helps to help diversify the species of both the butterfly and the plant nectar source.
It’s often called the Hawk Moth due to its very agile flying ability, and the way it hovers in front of its nectar source and is often mistaken for the Hummingbird Moth. They are attracted to white or yellow flowers, usually with a heavy aroma, and of course, the flowers must stay open at night! They are drawn to heavy nectar plants which help to fuel their hovering act while drinking nectar. This moth can lay its eggs on several things, including tomatoes! It’s also known as the “The Green HornWorm” and can be identified by 5 white stripes on a fat green caterpillar with a horn at the end. Fear not, your beloved tomatoes are safe! There are many wonderful natives for this lovely creature to lay her eggs upon including purslane, four o’clock, evening primrose, and clarkias. Check out our native seed mix blend for a scatter seed mix that has her host plant inside.
The Sphinx Moth lays eggs singularly on a plant, with the caterpillar stage lasting between 2-4 weeks. The pupa typically is in the leaf litter beneath the plant and emerges the following spring.