Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Spurge hawkmoth
Hyles euphorbiae (Linnaeus, 1758)


Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Macroglossinae
Identification: Forewing upperside is pale yellow-gray to lavender-gray, with a dark brown spot at the center of the costa and at the wing base, and a dark brown band running from the wing tip to the inner margin. The costal and outer margins may be dusted with pink or gray. Hindwing upperside is black with a pale greenish outer margin and a pinkish brown median band which becomes white at the inner margin.
Wing Span: 2 1/2 - 3 1/16 inches (6.4 - 7.7 cm).
Life History: Females lay eggs singly or in small clusters on spurge leaves. Fully-grown caterpillars pupate in loose cocoons just below the soil surface.
Flight: .
Caterpillar Hosts: Various species of Euphorbia in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Disturbed meadows and valleys with dense stands of leafy spurge.
Range: Ontario, Canada.
Conservation: This moth has been introduced into Canada to help control various weed spurges.
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