Other Common Names
Four-horned Sphinx (larva)
Identification
Adult brown overall. Wings light brown with darker brown shading. Whitish PM line on forewing the only complete distinct line; blackish streaks along veins in outer part of forewing. Whitish tint along costa, especially near base. Hindwing brown with dark brown border and incomplete lines. Thorax very fuzzy with dark brown/black edges.
Caterpillar green or brown with 4 spiny horns on thorax and scalelike ridge along back. Body covered with white-tipped granules.
Range
Eastern and central North America: Nova Scotia to Florida, west to New Mexico, north to Saskatchewan
Season
adults fly in June and July in the north; March to October in the south (two broods)
larvae from June to October
Food
Larvae feed on leaves of basswood (Tilia), cherry (Prunus), elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula).
Adults probably do not feed.
Life Cycle
one generation per year in the north; two generations in the south; overwinters as a pupa in underground burrow
1 and 2. Caterpillars. 3. Pupa. 4 Adult
Print References
Covell, p. 33, plate 3 #9
(1)
Salsbury, p. 326--photo of adult
(2)
Wagner, p. 14--photo of larva
(3)Internet References
Moth Photographers Group - range map, photos of living and pinned adults.
Insects of Cedar Creek pinned adult image (U. of Minnesota)
Dallas Butterflies pinned adult image (Dale Clark, Texas)
Butterflies and Moths of North America description, range, photos of live larvae and adults
Pacific Northwest Moths pinned adult, description, habitat, distribution