Blinded Sphinx
Common NameBlinded Sphinx
Scientific NamePaonias excaecata
FamilySphingidae
SubfamilySmerinthinae
Wingspan (mm)75
Wing Patterneyespot
Primary Colorsbrown, pink, blue, black
HabitatDeciduous forests, woodlands, orchards, suburban areas
Geographic RangeEastern North America, from Newfoundland west to Manitoba and south to Florida and Texas
Host Plantswillow, birch, elm, apple, cherry, plum
Flight PeriodMay to August
Flight Stylehovering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are green with white stripes and small tubercles, feeding on host plant leaves before pupating in an underground chamber.
Identification TipsDistinguished by the unique 'blinded' eyespot on the hindwings, which is blue and black but lacks the central black pupil found in similar species. The scalloped forewing margins are also characteristic.
Description
This moth has mottled brown and tan forewings with scalloped edges, and pink hindwings each featuring a prominent blue and black eyespot that lacks a central pupil.
