Butterflies and Moths of North America

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Hermit sphinx
Lintneria eremitus (Hübner, 1823)


Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Sphinginae
Identification: Forewing is gray-brown with wavy lines, black dashes, and 1 or 2 small white spots near the center of the costa. Hindwing is black with 2 white bands and a triangular black patch at the base.
Wing Span: 2 9/16 - 2 15/16 inches (6.5 - 7.5 cm).
Life History: Fully-grown caterpillars pupate in chambers underground.
Flight: . One brood from July-August.
Caterpillar Hosts: Various species of beebalm (Monarda), mints (Mentha), bugleweed (Lycopis), and sage (Salvia).
Adult Food: Deep-throated flowers including Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), bouncing bet (Saponaria officinalis), petunia (Petunia species), and catalpa (Catalpa speciosa).
Habitat:
Range: Maine south to North Carolina, west to Manitoba, South Dakota, and Missouri.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
Taxonomy Notes: Formerly Sphinx eremitus.
Alternate Scientific Names:
Sphinx eremitus