Pronunciation
dee-uh-DAY-mee-uh in-SKRIP-tuh
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
species epithet sometimes spelled inscriptum
Explanation of Names
DEIDAMIA: in Greek mythology, the wife of Achilles and daughter of Lycomedes
INSCRIPTA: perhaps a reference to the parallel bands on the forewing, suggesting lines of script
Identification
Adult forewing light brown to grayish, crossed by dark parallel bands; outer margin deeply scalloped; a small black-and-white spot near the apex
hindwing reddish-brown with a dark terminal band.
Caterpillar: "yellow-green with sub-dorsal stripe that runs from horn forward over head to antenna. Yellow oblique lines pass under spiracles on A1 - A7... Horn yellow, often with downward curve...early instars more yellow than green with very long black horn that may be yellow at its apex" - Wagner
(1) p.271
Range
Texas to northern Florida, north to New Hampshire, west through southern Quebec & Ontario to North Dakota
Season
adults fly from February to May in the south, and from April to June in the north
Food
larvae feed on Virginia Creeper, Wild Grape, and Pepper-Vine
Remarks
The first sphinx moth of the season in most of its range.
Internet References
live adult and larva images plus biology and other info (Bill Oehlke)
live adult images (Lynn Scott, Ontario)
adult images (Larry Line, Maryland)
live adult image (John Himmelman, Connecticut)
pinned adult image plus biology and other info (Gerald Fauske, Moths of North Dakota)
pinned adult image by plus biology and US distribution map (Moths of North America, USGS)
common name reference and other info (Ohio State U.)
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