Page 445 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Sphingidae
DISTRIBUTION Southern Canada, United States, Central and South America,
and parts of the Caribbean
HABITAT Rain forests, wet woodlands, and wetlands
HOST PLANTS Various species in the evening primrose family (Onagraceae),
including Ludwigia spp.
NOTE Variably colored caterpillar found in tropical forests and
temperate woodlands
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated

ADULT WINGSPAN
3⅜–3 ⁄ in (85–97 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
2¾–3⅛ in (70–80 mm)
EUMORPHA FASCIATUS
BANDED SPHINX MOTH 443

(SULZER, 1776)

The caterpillars of the Banded Sphinx Moth, also known
as the Lesser Vine Sphinx Moth, hatch from large, round eggs
laid on the underside of leaves of the host plant. The larvae
feed on the leaves, preferring the blade of the leaf either
side of the midrib. They move to the ground to pupate in an
underground chamber, overwintering there before wriggling
to the surface just before eclosion.

The moths appear at dusk and visit owers to gather nectar. They
are seen all year round in the tropics, where there are as many as
three generations. To the north, there are two generations, with The Banded Sphinx Moth caterpillar is variable
the moths on the wing from May to July and again from the end in appearance, with one form yellow or green
with cross stripes of red and black, red head
of August to October, while in the far north of the species’ range and feet, and lateral subspiracular yellow

there is a single generation ying from August to November. stripes edged with red, while another is almost
completely green. All larvae have black spiracles
The “sphinx” of the common name probably derives from the ringed with white and diagonal white stripes
pointing toward the head.
caterpillar’s habit of rearing up when threatened into a pose like
that of an Egyptian sphinx.

Actual size