#white-lined sphinx

[libraryofmoths]

Moth of the Week

White-Lined Sphinx

Hyles lineata

The white-lined sphinx is a part of the family Sphingidae. They are sometimes known as the hummingbird moth because of their size and how they hover over flowers for nectar. The were first described in 1775 by Johan Christian Fabricius as Sphinx lineata.

Description The forewings are dark brown with tan stripe cutting across mirrors on both sides. The veins of the forewings are lined in white. The top edge of the forewing or the “costal margin” is outlined in a light brown and the forewing’s side edge or the “outer margin” is lined in gray. The hindwings are black with a pink stripe called the “median band.” The furry body is also dark and light brown with black, pink, and white stripes and spots.

Wingspan Range: ≈5.1 - 7.6 cm (2 -3 in)

Diet and Habitat Caterpillars of this species eat a variety of plants such as: Willow weed (Epilobium), Four o'clock (Mirabilis), Apple (Malus), Evening primrose (Oenothera), Elm (Ulmus), Grape (Vitis), and more. Caterpillars can form large groups when finding food and damage many gardens and crops.

Adult moths drink the nectar from various flowers such as: Columbines, Larkspurs, Four o'clock (Mirabilis), Petunia, Honeysuckle, Moonvine, and more. The type of flower an adult feeds from depends on the visibility during certain times of the day. At night they will feed from white flowers because they are easier to see in the dark. Durning the day, they will feed on brighter flowers.

This moth has a large range spanning from Southern Canada down to Central America, going through Mexico and most of the United States. They are found occasionally in the West Indies and on even rarer occasions in Eurasia and Africa. They live in habitats such as deserts, gardens, suburbs, and the Mountains of Colorado. However their population varies in many places.

Mating This moth has two generations per year with more in warmer climates. Eggs are laid in the spring on the host plants. A female can lay hundreds of eggs, which overwinter as larvae and emerge in February to November. This is also when they begin eating.

Predators This moth prefers to fly at night but can be seen during the day. It is preyed on by common enemies of moths: birds and bats.

Fun Fact Caterpillars were, and still are in some places, eaten by Native Americans. They were skewered, roasted, and dried to store/ground. When compared to hamburger meat, the larvae have almost as much fat but 1/3 less saturated fat and more energy in calories, protein, carbohydrate, riboflavin, and niacin.

(Source: Wikipedia, Moth Identification)

[onenicebugperday]

Beautiful Sphinx moth visiting the flowers in Western Montana! Guessing white-lined, but they never landed and their wings were going too fast for a good pic XD

Definitely a white-lined sphinx, there isn't any other species in your area that looks similar! Surprisingly impressive pics given how fast they are.

[beausbugbiome]

Lovely white-lined Sphinx moth. 💖

[pik-zilla-124]

For all moth fans

Made for:

@bunnybiene @saturniidae23 @onenicebugperday

[mothmonarch]

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[textless]

White-lined sphinx moth caterpillar in the garden. Cochise County, Arizona, September 2023.

[penlopon]

a love letter to caterpillars (and the things that they become)

poem and version without words beneath the cut :)

[sitting-on-me-bum]

White-Lined Sphinx Moth

COURTESY OF MARTIN GILCHRIST

[spiritofthemeadow]

ig - afternoondreams

[clannfearrunt]

Pollinators Collection... met White-Lined Sphinx Moth, Leafcutter Bee of some kind, Drone Fly of some kind (very polite), One Million Honeybees, and some butterfly I forgot to check what kind. Also saw a bumblebee but they are very hard to ask for a photoshoot. The drone fly was the most cooperative thank u drone fly friend

[podartists]

Lineated Sphinx | George Shaw (1751-1813)

[worm98]

hey guys did i cook with this or should i put it back in the oven?

[onenicebugperday]

@silvarius submitted: I think it's a type of sphinx moth? He was fairly large. Southwestern PA.

It is! A white-lined sphinx :)

[beausbugbiome]

Was blessed with my favorite today— Hyles lineata 🌸

[moths-daily]

I saw this beautiful moth outside my house a while back, it looked like it was still drying off its wings. I was wondering if you could tell me what it is? I live in North America if that helps :)

I believe this is a white-lined sphinx moth!

[mothmonarch]

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