Moths of North Carolina

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

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Bombycoidea

Family:
Sphingidae

Subfamily:
Smerinthinae

Tribe:
Smerinthini

P3 Number:
890144

MONA Number:
7824.00

Other Common Name:
Blinded Sphinx

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 Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD

Technical 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: Larvae are highly polyphagous - one of the few generalist sphingid species feeding on a variety of hardwood trees and shrubs. Wagner (2005) specifically lists serviceberry (Amelanchier), birch (Betula), American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), chestnut (Castanea), hawthorn (Crataegus), beech (Fagus), apple (Malus), American Hop-hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), poplar (Populus), cherry (Prunus), oak (Quercus), rose (Rosa), willow (Salix), American Basswood (Tilia americana), and elm (Ulmus). In North Carolina, larvae have been recorded feeding on Downy Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea), cherry, and oak. - 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 SNR [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

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

	Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2025-06-25 Mitchell Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-24 Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-24 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: A. Kauppila on 2025-06-01 Burke Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2025-05-18 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2025-05-18 Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-04-23 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-04-22 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2024-08-06 Graham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Morgan Freese on 2024-07-27 Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-07-23 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2024-07-15 Graham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-07-11 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-07-11 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-07-11 Madison Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2024-06-27 Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-27 Yancey Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2024-06-25 McDowell Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: H. Anderson on 2024-06-09 Cumberland Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-06-01 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: k.nealson on 2024-05-23 Vance Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2024-05-16 Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2024-05-16 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-05-15 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-05-15 Wake Co. Comment:		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: