#7824 excaecata

Blinded Sphinx

Paonias excaecata (Smith, 1797)

Family: Sphingidae

Status: Occasional resident

Larval Hostplant(s): Cherry (Prunus), Elm (Ulmus), basswood (Tilia),and Birch (Betula).

Range: Found in the eastern United States west to Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico.

NENHP Ranking: Not listed

Broods/Flight Times: Records indicate one extended brood, peaking in June. A second occurs in southern portions of its range.

Habitat: Near hostplants, often in wooded areas.

Avg. Wingspan: 3 1/4 – 4 1/2 Inches

Found at: Box Elder WMA, Fontenelle Forest, Gilbert-Baker WMA, Homestead NM, Niobrara Valley Preserve.

Overwintering: As pupae in leaf litter or in the soil.

Similar Species: The HW of the Blinded Sphinx contains a single blue spot (two in the Twin Spotted Sphinx) and the basal area is pink (yellowish in the Small-eyed Sphinx).

Notes: Adults do not feed.

🔗Links: Moth Photographers Group, BugGuide.net.

Blinded Sphinx
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