Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFSphingidae Members: 162 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, BAMONATechnical 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.
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)

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: There are likely two broods in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain but a single brood in the Mountains.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Our records come from virtually all wooded and shrubby habitats across the state, including maritime forests and scrub, peatlands, Longleaf Pine communities, floodplain forests, mesic slopes and dry ridges.
Larval Host Plants: Plants in the Rosaceae are used, particularly cherries, but also Hawthorn and Serviceberry (Wagner, 2005). Actual preferences in North Carolina are not known.
Observation Methods: Adults come readily to lights but not to flowers nor to bait.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Rosaceous Thickets
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 myops - Small-eyed Sphinx

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

Recorded by: David George, L. M. Carlson, Stephen Dunn on 2022-06-18
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2022-05-19
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-05-05
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Lior Carlson on 2022-05-03
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-05-01
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-08-26
Carteret Co.
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Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-07-21
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-07-06
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-06-06
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-05-29
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-05-23
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2021-05-21
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-05-20
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka, Bo Sullivan and Steve Hall on 2021-05-11
Moore Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-05-10
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-04-28
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Steve Hall and Bo Sullivan on 2020-10-14
Moore Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2020-07-20
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-06-26
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-06-09
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-08-01
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-06-07
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-05-02
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2018-08-09
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2018-08-09
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2018-08-09
Buncombe Co.
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Recorded by: Ken Kneidel on 2018-08-06
Yancey Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Steve Hall and Bo Sullivan on 2018-07-18
Ashe Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-05-24
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2018-05-12
Madison Co.
Comment: