This remarkably beautiful moth is a Small-eyed Sphinx (Paonias myops). Found early in the morning, this moth was already at rest and clinging to the inside of the shade structure where we store plants. The Small-eyed Sphinx has been reported throughout the continental United States and in parts of Mexico. A nocturnal flyer, this member of the family Sphingidae is very active just after dusk but flies throughout the night.
The larvae host on black cherry (Prunus serotina), sour cherry (Prunus cerasus), and a variety of other plant species. Larvae are green with diagonal white striping and small red markings, one of which is rather heart-shaped. The larvae will pupate is small spaces below the soil.
Adult male moths have an abdomen that arcs upward at the end. The abdomen of the female is notably straighter. Small-eyed Sphinx females are larger than males and can reach a wingspan of nearly 3 inches in width. Adult moths of this species do not feed. The species common name comes from the black ringed blue eyespots on the underwings of the adult moth. Although I attempted to get a photo the moth wasn’t terribly compliant.
The species was first described by James Edward Smith, an English botanist who founded the Linnean Society. Smith published the earliest book on American insects entitled The Natural History of the Rarer Lepidopterous Insects of Georgia in 1797. The book included the notes and drawings of American entomologist
John Abbot who created thousands of drawings of insects and birds in his lifetime.
Special thanks to Rick Gillmore for assistance with the identification of this specimen.
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