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Twin-spotted Sphinx (Smerinthus jamaicensis)

6/9/2013

2 Comments

 
The Twin-spotted Sphinx (Smerinthus jamaicensis) is a moth of the Sphingidae family. It is widely distributed across North America and is found everywhere except in the southern half of western California. It has been taken as far north as the Yukon.
 
It has a wingspan of 13⁄4–31⁄4 inches (4.5–8.3 cm), with the outer margins of the
forewings unevenly scalloped, but with the coastal margin of hindwings being almost straight. Males have gray with black and white markings on their forewings, while females are yellowish brown with dark brown and white markings.

Both sexes have red hindwings with a pale yellow border. Sometimes a blue patch may appear as a single
eyespot or it may be divided by black bands, creating two or three eyespots. Adult moths are nocturnal, but seem to prefer the earlier part hours of the night.

The larvae feed on Apple (
Malus sylvestris), Prunus species (such as plums and peach), Ash (Fraxinus), Elm (Ulmus), Poplar (Populus), Birch (Betula) and Willow (Salix).
Picture
2 Comments
Carl Barrentine link
7/26/2013 12:31:24 am

An wonderful website, Sharon! And what a spectacular photograph of the seldom-seen Twin-spotted Sphinx (Smerinthus jamaicensis, 7821).

Reply
Sharon Wataon link
7/26/2013 08:13:32 am

It was an exciting new find (on my window screen) for me:). Thanks Carl!!!

Reply



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