Sphinx Moths or Hornworms

Family Sphingidae

Twin-spotted sphinx (Smerinthus jamaicensis). Photo:Stephanie Boucher

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. 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.