Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Pawpaw sphinx
Dolba hyloeus (Drury, 1773)


Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Sphinginae
Identification: Wings are dark brown with a dusting of white scales. Some moths have patches of reddish or yellowish brown on the wings.
Wing Span: 2 - 2 11/16 inches (5 - 6.8 cm).
Life History: The caterpillar has a horn at the end of its abdomen. Fully grown caterpillars pupate and overwinter in underground burrows.
Flight: . One flight from June-September, two flights from March-September in Florida and Louisiana.
Caterpillar Hosts: Pawpaw (Asimina triloba), littleleaf sweetfern (Myrica aspleniifolia), possum haw (Ilex decidua), and inkberry (I. glabra).
Adult Food: Nectar from deep-throated flowers including bouncing bet (Saponaria officinalis), Petunia, jasmine, and mimosa.
Habitat: Not reported.
Range: Maine south to Florida, west to Wisconsin, eastern Oklahoma, and South Texas.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
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