Page 473 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Sphingidae
DISTRIBUTION North America, southern Canada to central United States
HABITAT Many, including riparian areas, canyons, savannahs, and
shrublands, but particularly associated with forested woodlots
HOST PLANTS Wild cherry and plum (Prunus spp.), lilac (Syringa spp.),
hackberry (Celtis spp.), apple (Malus spp.), and serviceberry
(Amelanchier spp.)
NOTE Hawkmoth caterpillar that becomes an important pollinator
of rare orchids
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but often uncommon

ADULT WINGSPAN
3⅜–4¼ in (85–110 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
3⅛–3½ in (80–90 mm)
SPHINX DRUPIFERARUM
WILD CHERRY SPHINX 471

J. E. SMITH, 1797

Wild Cherry Sphinx caterpillars hatch from a few hundred
eggs laid singly by the female moth on both surfaces of host
plant leaves. The eggs hatch about a week after they have been
laid. The caterpillars feed rapidly and ravenously on their host
plant and complete development within a month. To avoid
predation they hide in the day and feed by night. However,
many are parasitized by braconid wasps. Mature larvae form
pupae in earthen cells about 4 in (100 mm) below the ground
and overwinter there. In some cases, the pupal stage extends as
long as two years.

There is a single brood annually with the large hawkmoth adults,

which are frequently found at owers such as honeysuckles,

ying for about a month in late spring and early summer. In the The Wild Cherry Sphinx caterpillar is green with
United States upper Midwest and in Manitoba, Canada, the Wild seven pairs of white, oblique, lateral stripes, each
bordered dorsally with purple. The head is green
Cherry Sphinx is an important pollinator of the endangered with a pair of black lines running down laterally.
Western Prairie Fringe Orchid (Platanthera praeclara). The tail horn is a purple red. The spiracles are
orange, and the true legs are yellow.

Actual size