The small-eyed sphinx moth is “especially nocturnal” and prefers birches, poplars, hawthorns, and willow trees. And white sheets.
And also cherry, serviceberry, and grapes, according to insectidentification.org, which names this fellow a member of the Hawk Moth category. Moths are important pollinators, and are under threat from habitat loss – especially the decline of native plant species – and increasing light pollution.
Learn more about these moths, present from April through October, at bugguide.net. Even more info available at butterfliesandmoths.org – learn about all the Lepidoptera!
- Order – Butterflies / Moths – Lepidoptera
- Family – Sphinx Moths – Sphingidae
- Species – Small-eyed Sphinx Moth – Paonias myops
This fellow was spotted at the 2019 CFC Bats & Moths spectacular, along Tom’s Run at CCC shelter #2, in Cook Forest State Park.