Numbers
rare in Gulf Coast states; uncommon elsewhere [Charles Covell]
Size
wingspan 90-130 mm (3 1/2 - 5 1/8 inches)
Larva to 10 cm
Identification
Adult: forewing uniformly ash gray; subterminal line incomplete, with pale gray outer edging; series of 4 black dashes - outermost dash reaches apex; hindwing black with diffuse pale gray bands
[description by Charles Covell]
Larva greenish or pinkish with seven long diagonal lines that may be upwardly edged with pink - the lines extend across more than one segment at the ends. Spiracles elongate, black ringed with white. Horn blue or pink.
(3)Range
across southern Canada and all of United States, south into Mexico
Habitat
wide variety of woodlands and western scrublands
Season
The insect is double-brooded in the Middle States, appearing on the wing in the latter part of May, and again in August.
(1)Food
The caterpillar feeds on cherry, ash, privet, and other allied plants.
(1)Life Cycle
two generations per year in the south; one generation in the north
Internet References
pinned adult image by Paul Opler, plus US distribution map, common name reference [Great Ash Sphinx], description, biology, flight season, foodplants (butterfliesandmoths.org)
distribution in Canada list of provinces (CBIF)
