Moths of North Carolina
Scientific Name:
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View PDFSphingidae Members:
Paonias Members:
186 NC Records

Paonias myops (J.E. Smith, 1797) - Small-eyed Sphinx

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Bombycoidea Family: SphingidaeSubfamily: SmerinthinaeTribe: SmerinthiniP3 Number: 890145.00 MONA Number: 7825.00
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: Barcodes indicate a single 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: The typically dark forewings and lemon color on the hindwings around the ocellus distinguish this species from Smerinthus species and Paonias excaecata. Some forms are more yellowish, resembling Paonias astylus, but are more mottled and have a more waved outer margin on the forewing. Sexes are similar.
Wingspan: 4.5 - 7.5 cm (Covell, 1984)
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Larvae resemble those of other members of this genus: green with pale oblique stripes on the sides, the last one most prominent and extending to the base of the caudal horn; body granulate (see Wagner, 2005, for details). Pupation occurs underground.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Occurs statewide.
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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