Species Detail

One-eyed sphinx

Smerinthus cerisyi Wm. Kirby, 1837

more images

Attributes of Smerinthus cerisyi

Family: Sphinx Moths, Hawkmoths (Sphingidae)

Subfamily: Sphinginae (Sphinginae)

Identification: Appearance is highly variable. Outer margin of forewing ranges from unevenly scalloped to almost straight. Upperside of forewing is light reddish brown to almost black, with dark and light markings. Hindwing is mostly red with a yellow-tan outer margin and a round or diamond-shaped black spot in the center of the blue eyespot. Underside of the forewing is deep rose on the basal half and usually has a well-defined postmedian line.

Life history: Not reported.

Flight: . One flight from May-August.

Wing span: 2 7/16 - 3 9/16 inches (6.2 - 9 cm).

Caterpillar hosts: Willow (Salix) and poplar (Populus).

Adult food: Adults do not feed.

Habitat: Valleys and streamsides.

Range: Newfoundland and Maine west across Michigan, the northern states, and southern Canada to British Columbia and Washington; south to southern California, Baja California Norte, and west Texas. Also Tennessee and Missouri.

Conservation: Not usually required.

NatureServe Global Status: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.

Management needs: None reported.