Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Sphingidae Members:	Eumorpha Members:	133 NC Records

Eumorpha pandorus (Hübner, 1821) - Pandorus Sphinx

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Bombycoidea

Family:
Sphingidae

Subfamily:
Macroglossinae

Tribe:
Macroglossini

P3 Number:
890182

MONA Number:
7859.00

Other Common Name:
Pandora Sphinx

Comments: This is largely a Neotropical genus but 12 species are recorded from the U.S. and 5 from North Carolina.

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 moderately large Sphinx moth with a distinctive pattern of pale and dark green patches on its wings and body. Markings are similar to that of Eumorpha intermedia, which is typically shaded with brown or reddish but can also be olive green (see Covell, 1984, and Brou, 2011, for details). Sexes are similar.

Wingspan: 8.7 - 11.5 cm (Covell, 1984)

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.

Immatures and Development: Late instar larvae are quite distinctive, varying in color but possessing large pale spots encircling the spiracles; humped or swollen anteriorly and possessing a slightly raised eyespot in place of the caudal horn (see Wagner, 2007, for details). Pupae are hidden several inches below the floor of the forest.

Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Occurs statewide, including the Barrier Islands and High Mountains. Some records may represent migrants -- these robust moths are strong fliers and undoubtedly disperse over great distances.

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 two broods.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: The host plants used by Eumorpha pandorus occupy a wide range of habitats in North Carolina and we have larval records -- indicating resident populations -- from sites as different and far apart as Fort Macon on the Barrier Islands and New River State Park in the Mountains. We also have a large number of adult records from the Barrier Islands, Longleaf Pine and peatland habitats, all of which are fairly open. Most of our Mountain records come from mesic hardwood forests, including cove forests.

Larval Host Plants: Larvae are stenophagous, feeding on members of the grape family (Vitaceae), usually wild grapes and Virginia Creeper but will attack domestic grapes as well (Wagner, 2005). In North Carolina, larvae have been recorded on Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), non-native Porcelain-berry (Ampelopsis glandulosa), and an unknown species of grape. Based on the many larval records on iNaturalist, Virginia Creeper appears to be the primary host in our state. - View

Observation Methods: Known to visit flowers but not found at bait. They are attracted to high intensity lights, including mercury-vapor, but come far less to 15 watt UV lights or incandescent porch lights; many of our records come from offices and other buildings with strong outdoor lighting. Larvae often found on Virginia Creeper.

Wikipedia

See also Habitat Account for General Vitaceous Tangles

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 SNR [S4S5]

State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.

Comments: Its widespread occurrence across the state and use of a broad range of habitats makes this species relatively secure.

Photo Gallery for Eumorpha pandorus - Pandorus Sphinx

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

	Recorded by: A. Kauppila on 2025-06-18 Burke Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-08-03 Mitchell Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-07-18 Carteret Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2024-07-07 Graham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-07-06 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-07-06 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2024-07-02 Transylvania Co. Comment:		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2024-07-02 Transylvania Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Tina Fulcher on 2024-06-08 Davidson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: tom ward on 2023-09-16 Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jeremiah Edwards on 2023-08-22 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2023-08-13 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2023-08-08 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2023-07-28 Cumberland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2023-07-28 Cumberland Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Becky Elkin, Jim Petranka, Tony McBride on 2023-07-23 Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Becky Elkin, Jim Petranka, Tony McBride on 2023-07-23 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Willie Hardin on 2023-06-10 Brunswick Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-06-03 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2022-10-03 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Russell James on 2022-09-01 Cumberland Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Russell James on 2022-09-01 Cumberland Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2022-08-07 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Ranzinger on 2022-08-05 Mecklenburg Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-07-31 Buncombe Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Richard Teper on 2022-06-26 Avery Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: B. Munday on 2022-06-08 Davie Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2022-06-01 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman on 2022-05-13 Carteret Co. Comment:		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-09-13 Carteret Co. Comment: