Leafy Spurge Hawk Moth
Hyles euphorbiae (Linnaeus, 1758)
Family: Sphingidae
Status: Uncommon resident
Range: Found across the northern United States and southern Canada with Nebraska being near the southern edge of its range.
Larval Hostplant(s): Various spurges – native, invasive and ornamental.
NENHP Ranking: Not listed
Broods/Flight Times:
Habitat: This moth can be found in rangelands, agricultural and urban settings.
Avg. Wingspan: 2 1/2 – 3 Inches
Found at: This species is nomadic and opportunistic in nature. To date it is northern and western in distribution.
Overwintering: As pupae.
Similar Species: On the Gallium Hawk Moth the red of the HW is not as extensive and the olive-colored band on the FW is not interrupted.
Notes: This species was introduced from Eurasia into North America in 1974 in hopes that it could slow the spread of the invasive exotic Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula) which was devastating western rangelands. While it feeds on that plant it has also been found to feed on other ornamental spurges in other settings.
