Species Ceratomia hageni - Hagen's Sphinx - Hodges#7790

7790

Osage Orange Sphinx

Wingspan 80-92 mm (1)

Adult: forewing gray with green to yellowish-green tinge. Pale gray patches at apex and midway along costa. Lines zigzag. Elongate dark patch through center of wing. Lacks whitish tint along costa near base. Hindwing with extensive dark brown or blackish shading except at base and near anal angle; not banded. Prothorax gray in center, and dark along edges.

South-central United States in drainage area of Mississippi River: Michigan and Ohio, south to Georgia and Mississippi, west to Wisconsin, Nebraska, Texas. (see distribution map)

adults fly at dusk and come to light

adults fly from April to September in the north; to October in the south

Larvae feed on leaves of Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera).

Adults take nectar from a variety of flowers.

two generations per year in the north; three or four generations in the south; Vernon Brou confirms four generations per year in Louisiana

Elm Sphinx (Ceratomia amyntor) forewing has whitish tint along costa near base, shows more contrast between dark and pale areas, and usually lacks greenish tinge; hindwing distinctly banded

Waved Sphinx (Ceratomia undulosa) forewing lacks obvious pale patches at apex and midway along costa, lacks elongate dark patch through center of wing, and lacks green tinge; hindwing banded

(compare images of all 3 species by Jim Vargo at MPG)

Covell, p. 34, plate 4 #3 (1)

Salsbury, p. 324--color photo of adult (2)

pinned adult image by Paul Opler, plus description, distribution map, flight seasons, foodplants (butterfliesandmoths.org)

pinned adult image by Vernon Brou, plus common name references, distribution, description, flight seasons, foodplants, biology (Bill Oehlke, silkmoths.bizland.com)

pinned adult image by Jim Vargo (Moth Photographers Group)

live adult image and description (Kansas State U.)