Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFSphingidae Members:
Sphinx Members:
43 NC Records

Sphinx kalmiae J.E. Smith, 1797 - Laurel Sphinx

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Bombycoidea Family: SphingidaeSubfamily: SphinginaeTribe: SphinginiP3 Number: 890118.00 MONA Number: 7809.00
Comments: This large genus of some 27 species ranges from England to Japan and down through the Americas. There are approximately 14 resident species in North America and at least 5 in North Carolina. Two very different larval types occur in the genus and it is likely that Sphinx is composed of more than one genus.
Species Status: Barcodes indicate that Sphinx kalmiae is a single, well-defined species in our area.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1948); Hodges (1971); Tuttle (2007)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1948); Wagner (2005); Tuttle (2007)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This beautiful yellow-brown sphinx is easy to identify and one of our more common species in this genus. This looks like a smaller version of S. frankii but the abdominal spots are white and the moth is more tailored in appearance. Similar to Xylophanes tersa in size and wing color but has a darker brown marks on the thorax and abdomen. Other brown-colored sphingids are duller brown or have a heavier pattern of streaks. Sexes are similar.
Wingspan: 7.5 - 10.3 cm (Covell, 1984)
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Larvae have the usual pattern of seven oblique lateral stripes on a green background, but are distinctive in their yellowish lateral stripes, edged with black; strong stripes on the sides of the head; and blue caudal horn covered with black spines (Wagner, 2005). Pupation occurs underground.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Relatively common in the Mountains but rare in the Coastal Plain; we have only a couple of recent records from the Piedmont.
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)

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