Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012) | Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, GBIF, BOLD | Technical Description, Adults: Forbes (1948); Hodges (1971); Tuttle (2007) | Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1948); Wagner (2005); Tuttle (2007) | |
Adult Markings: A large, grayish-brown sphinx moth; sexes similar. Less common than M. sexta with which it is frequently confused. It is grayer with a crisp, distinct pattern whereas the pattern in M. sexta is browner and smudged. Note the parallel median lines with gray filling in the hindwing. These lines are largely fused into a single broad line in M. sexta. |
Wingspan: 9 - 13.5 cm (Covell, 1984) |
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens. |
Immatures and Development: Larvae are green or brown and have seven white lateral stripes similar to the larvae of M. sexta. Distinguishable from sexta by its possession of a series of broken pale stripes below the spiracles, forming a series of v-shaped marks together with the lateral stripes (Forbes, 1948). |
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants. |