Rustic Sphinx Moth Caterpillar Host Plant

Hairy legs add to its charm.

Rustic sphinx moth caterpillar host plant.

2 3 8 3 1 8. Adult moths have a pattern of blacks whites and browns across their bodies that helps them blend into the bark of trees as a form of camouflage. The upperside of the forewing is pale brown with lavender gray at the base with dark brown lines. Sphinx moths use a wide range of larval host plants including both woody and nonwoody species.

If you want to see more of both butterflies and moths lepidoptera in your yard the addition of specific host plants is an empowering way to take an active role in supporting species diversity. The top of the forewing is a dark olive brown with lighter brown on the margin with a narrow tan band along the wingtip to the base and white streaks on the veins. If everyone who uses this resource gives a small amount we could cover our ongoing costs develop new features and upgrade the system. The mottled coloration if looked at closely reveals a zigzag pattern crossing the body from left to.

This striking mammoth sized moth is a member of the sphinx family. The caterpillars of rustic sphinx moth feed on various ornamentals including gardenia sunflower lantana and ligustrum. Kim eierman founder of ecobeneficial. Sphinx moths are medium to large in size with thick bodies and wingspans of 5 inches or more.

Each moth species has its own suite of suitable host plants for example some eat only members of the tobacco tomato potato family. Species and bloom time may vary based on region. Tersa sphinx moth xylophanes tersa the tersa sphinx is angular and hairy with a pointed abdomen. Manduca rustica is native to the southeastern united states.

Rustic sphinx caterpillars are plagued by a tiny wasp cotesia congregata the larvae of which develop inside the hornworm before chewing out and spinning tiny cocoons that are fastened to the worm. We depend on donations to keep butterflies and moths of north america online and freely available. While not all moth are pollinators they do have unique realtionships with native plants and provide an important food source for birds as well. The rich black and white speckled coloration of the rustic sphinx moth is contained by sharp short white dashes on the edges of its hind wings.

Manduca rustica the rustic sphinx is a moth in the sphingidae family figures 1 and 2. Others must eat the leaves of rose family trees such as plum cherry and apple. Because this is a sporadic pest it would be unwise to apply an insecticide prophylactically. Get the latest buzz larval host plants for butterflies and moths use plants that are appropriate to your landscape conditions emphasizing plants that are native to your region.

Other predators and parasites also infest rustic sphinx eggs caterpillars and pupae. The upperside of the hindwing is dark brown with a band of whitish wedge shaped marks. We need your help.