Moths of North Carolina
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Paonias Members:
282 NC Records

Paonias excaecata (J.E. Smith, 1797) - Blind-eyed Sphinx

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Bombycoidea Family: SphingidaeSubfamily: SmerinthinaeTribe: SmerinthiniP3 Number: 890144.00 MONA Number: 7824.00
Comments: A Holarctic genus of 4 species of which 3 occur in North America and North Carolina. Two are among our most common species.
Species Status: Barcoding indicates heterogeneity in east Texas populations but eastern U.S. populations appear homogeneous.
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: A medium-sized species with narrow forewings and conspicuous eyespots on the hindwings. Similar in pattern to Smerinthus jamaicensis, from which it is distinguished by its typical brown instead of gray ground color; absence of the dark crescent at the apex of the wing and presence of a black discal spot; more undulate outer margin of the forewing; and a single rather than double eyespot center. Sexes are similar.
Wingspan: 5.5 - 9.5 cm (Covell, 1984)
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Larvae are also similar to those of Smerinthus jamaicensis: green with a series of oblique lateral stripes, the last of which extending onto the caudal horn; also covered with granules. The horn is green rather than blue as it is in S. jamaicensis (for other differences, see 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: Occurs statewide with the possible exception of the Barrier Islands. Common in the mountains but less so elsewhere.
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: Probably multiple broods but our records are continuous and do not show specific flight periods.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The majority of our records come from the Mountains from both mesic habitats, including riparian and cove forests, and from dry ridges. Records from the Coastal Plain are also numerous, primarily from Longleaf Pine savannas, flatwoods, and sandhills, but also from brownwater river floodplains and other stands dominated by hardwoods; appears to be absent, however, from peatlands and maritime habitats. The relatively few Piedmont records we have come from both wetland and dry upland habitats.
Larval Host Plants: Polyphagous. One of the few generalist sphingid species feeding on a variety of hardwood trees and shrubs, but we have little information of what plants are preferred (which could vary across the state). - View
Observation Methods: Comes regularly to 15 watt UV lights, usually as single individuals but occasionally in multiples; does not nectar at flowers or come to fermented baits.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Hardwood Forests
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 [S5]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: With its statewide distribution, wide range of host plants, and broad habitat use, this species appears to be secure.

 Photo Gallery for Paonias excaecata - Blind-eyed Sphinx

88 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2023-09-22
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-08-27
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Daniela Dunn on 2023-08-23
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2023-08-23
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2023-08-22
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-08-18
Caswell Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2023-08-17
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Becky Elkin and Bo Sullivan on 2023-08-08
Wilkes Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-31
Swain Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper, Becky Watkins on 2023-07-30
Swain Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2023-07-29
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper, Becky Watkins on 2023-07-29
Swain Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2023-07-27
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2023-07-27
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-07-14
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2023-06-25
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2023-06-25
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2023-06-24
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2023-06-24
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: John Petranka on 2023-06-24
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: David George on 2023-06-16
Avery Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2023-05-22
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2022-08-18
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2022-08-11
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2022-07-27
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Richard Teper on 2022-06-26
Avery Co.
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Recorded by: Darryl Willis on 2022-06-14
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-06-01
Montgomery Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2021-07-18
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2021-07-17
Ashe Co.
Comment: