Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFSphingidae Members: Paonias Members: 304 NC Records

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


Paonias excaecataPaonias excaecataPaonias excaecataPaonias excaecata
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, 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.
Paonias excaecataAlamance Alexander Alleghany Anson Ashe Avery Beaufort Bertie Bladen Brunswick Buncombe Burke Cabarrus Caldwell Camden Carteret Caswell Catawba Chatham Cherokee Chowan Clay Cleveland Columbus Craven Cumberland Currituck Dare Davidson Davie Duplin Durham Edgecombe Forsyth Franklin Gaston Gates Graham Granville Greene Guilford Halifax Harnett Haywood Henderson Hertford Hoke Hyde Iredell Jackson Johnston Jones Lee Lenoir Lincoln Macon Madison Martin McDowell Mecklenburg Mitchell Montgomery Moore Nash New%20Hanover Northampton Onslow Orange Pamlico Pasquotank Pender Perquimans Person Pitt Polk Randolph Richmond Robeson Rockingham Rowan Rutherford Sampson Scotland Stanly Stokes Surry Swain Transylvania Tyrrell Union Vance Wake Warren Washington Watauga Wayne Wilkes Wilson Yadkin Yancey
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Image showing flight dates by month for High Mountains greater than 4,000 feet, Low Mountains, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain: adults.
Immature Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Image showing flight dates by month for High Mountains greater than 4,000 feet, Low Mountains, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain: immatures.
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.
Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2025-06-25
Mitchell Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-24
Buncombe Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-24
Buncombe Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: A. Kauppila on 2025-06-01
Burke Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2025-05-18
Buncombe Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2025-05-18
Buncombe Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-04-23
Madison Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-04-22
Madison Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Owen McConnell on 2024-08-06
Graham Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Morgan Freese on 2024-07-27
Buncombe Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Jim Petranka on 2024-07-23
Madison Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Owen McConnell on 2024-07-15
Graham Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-07-11
Madison Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-07-11
Madison Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2024-07-11
Madison Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Emily Stanley on 2024-06-27
Buncombe Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-06-27
Yancey Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2024-06-25
McDowell Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: H. Anderson on 2024-06-09
Cumberland Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-06-01
Chatham Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: k.nealson on 2024-05-23
Vance Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2024-05-16
Buncombe Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Jim Petranka, Mark Basinger and Becky Elkin on 2024-05-16
Buncombe Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-05-15
Wake Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-05-15
Wake Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2023-09-22
Orange Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-08-27
Wilson Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Daniela Dunn on 2023-08-23
Guilford Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2023-08-23
Madison Co.
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Paonias excaecataRecorded by: K. Bischof on 2023-08-22
Transylvania Co.
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