Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFSphingidae Members: 29 NC Records

Manduca rustica (Fabricius, 1775) - Rustic Sphinx


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Bombycoidea Family: SphingidaeSubfamily: SphinginaeTribe: SphinginiP3 Number: 890092.00 MONA Number: 7778.00
Comments: A large Neotropical genus (63 species) of which 4 occur in North Carolina.
Species Status: Barcodes indicate that Manduca rustica is a single, well-defined species in our area.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, BAMONATechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1948); Hodges (1971); Tuttle (2007)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1948); Wagner (2005); Tuttle (2007)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: A large moth with a strikingly pattern of brown and white patches, overlaid by fine scalloped brown lines; has a small white discal spot. One of the largest members of the genus, this handsome moth always attracts attention. It is much larger than Dolba hyloeus which has a similar pattern.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Larvae are green with the typical pattern of pale lateral lines, but with distinctive raised granules on the thorax, along the lines, and on the tail (Forbes, 1948; Wagner, 2005).
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Most of our records -- including all recent ones -- come from the Coastal Plain.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Immature Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Flight Comments: Appears to have just one flight period in the late summer.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Most commonly found in wooded areas but likely to occur around any strong source of light as the species is a strong flyer.
Larval Host Plants: Primarily feeds on Bignoniaceae, including trumpet vine, but recorded from a wide array of plants.
Observation Methods: Adults commonly come to flowers at dusk; periwinkle is a favorite. Attracted to lights, especially strong lights such as mercury vapor, but in smaller numbers to 15 watt UV lights. Does not come to baits. One is lucky to see this species on an annual basis but the use of mercury vapor or strong spotlights increases the chances.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Forests and Fields
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 [SU]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands
Comments: Rarely observed but that may be due to the lack of collecting using mercury-vapor lights or other strong UV-emitting lights. Host plants and habitats do not appear to be a restricting factor.

 Photo Gallery for Manduca rustica - Rustic Sphinx

Photos: 28

Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-08-14
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-08-04
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-08-02
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-07-28
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-07-09
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-07-08
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-06-03
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Carol Fletcher on 2020-09-02
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Robert Gilson on 2020-08-15
Iredell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Robert Gilson on 2020-08-15
Iredell Co.
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Recorded by: Chris Helms on 2020-07-20
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Paul and Erich Hofmann on 2020-07-04
Craven Co.
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Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2019-07-27
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-07-18
Guilford Co.
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Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-07-18
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Alicia Ballard on 2018-08-04
Alamance Co.
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Recorded by: Alicia Ballard on 2018-06-19
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Lori Owenby on 2017-07-21
Catawba Co.
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Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2016-09-09
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2016-09-09
Scotland Co.
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Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2016-09-09
Scotland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Connor Ward on 2014-07-30
Martin Co.
Comment: Sent to me by my cousin (via his wife) from their home in Bear Grass, Martin County, NC
Recorded by: Britta Muiznieks on 2014-05-25
Dare Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Britta Muiznieks on 2014-05-23
Dare Co.
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Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2013-06-13
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Taylor Piephoff on 2012-07-17
Mecklenburg Co.
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Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2012-05-20
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Lori Owenby on 2010-08-08
Catawba Co.
Comment: