Plebeian sphinx
Paratrea plebeja (Fabricius, 1777)
Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Sphinginae
Identification: Forewing is gray with indistinct black and white markings, a series of black dashes from the base to the tip, and a small white cell spot. Hindwing is dark gray with an obscure dark median band.
Wing Span: 2 3/8 - 3 inches (6 - 7.5 cm).
Life History: Caterpillars hide on the underside of stems during the day, and emerge to feed at night. Fully-grown caterpillars pupate in chambers in soft soil. Caterpillars of the second brood pupate and overwinter in their chambers.
Flight: One brood in the north from May-July, at least two broods in the south from March-November.
Caterpillar Hosts: Common trumpetcreeper (Campsis radicans), Florida yellow-trumpet (Tecoma stans), lilac (Syringa species), and passionflower (Passiflora species).
Adult Food: Deep-throated flowers including honeysuckle, bouncing bet, and verbena.
Habitat: Not reported.
Range: Connecticut south to Florida; west to Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Ranges south to Veracruz, Mexico.
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: Genus changed from Paratrea to Paratraea. Apparent misspelling. Fixed 8/2009.
Alternate Scientific Names:
Paratrea plebeja
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 49 - 72 of 298 verified sightings
Observation date: Jun 23, 2015
Submitted by: Jeff Trahan
Region: Bossier Parish, Louisiana, United States
Verified by: Jeff Trahan
Verified date: Jun 26, 2015
Observation date: Mar 13, 2015
Submitted by: JeanEvoy
Region: DeSoto County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Mar 13, 2015
Observation date: Sep 13, 1982
Submitted by: Indy Entomologist
Region: White County, Indiana, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jan 16, 2015
Observation date: Jul 07, 2014
Submitted by: TeaKH
Region: Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jan 07, 2015
Observation date: Jul 04, 2014
Submitted by: QuePID
Region: Madison County, Kentucky, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Aug 22, 2014
Observation date: Jul 01, 2014
Submitted by: Stuart Marcus
Region: Texas, Liberty County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jul 02, 2014
Observation date: Jun 18, 2014
Submitted by: Pamela D. Fisher
Region: Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jun 25, 2014
Observation date: May 24, 2014
Submitted by: jeffmci9
Region: Texas, Travis County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jun 16, 2014
Observation date: May 11, 2014
Submitted by: rdhealy1951@aol.com
Region: Hart County, Kentucky, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jun 14, 2014
Observation date: Jul 15, 2013
Submitted by: Audrey R Hoff
Region: Knox County, Tennessee, United States
Verified by: Ken Childs
Verified date: Jun 13, 2014
Observation date: Aug 06, 2013
Submitted by: jrfleullan
Region: Bibb County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Sep 17, 2013
Observation date: Aug 28, 2013
Submitted by: Pete Williams
Region: Santa Rosa County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Aug 29, 2013
Observation date: Jul 09, 2013
Submitted by: rdhealy1951@aol.com
Region: Hardin County, Kentucky, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 24, 2013
Observation date: Jul 04, 2013
Submitted by: Tom Raub
Region: Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jul 06, 2013
Observation date: Feb 26, 2013
Submitted by: JeanEvoy
Region: DeSoto County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Mar 03, 2013
Observation date: Aug 24, 2010
Submitted by: Jeff Trahan
Region: Bossier Parish, Louisiana, United States
Verified by: rickypatterson
Verified date: Dec 07, 2012
Observation date: Aug 27, 2011
Submitted by: Ken Childs
Region: Chester County, Tennessee, United States
Verified by: Ken Childs
Verified date: Nov 29, 2012
Observation date: May 18, 2012
Submitted by: Bachasaur
Region: Ascension Parish, Louisiana, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Nov 14, 2012
Observation date: Mar 13, 2010
Submitted by: JeanEvoy
Region: DeSoto County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Oct 28, 2012
Observation date: Apr 01, 2011
Submitted by: MaryAnn Friedman
Region: Okaloosa County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jan 03, 2012
Observation date: Sep 07, 2011
Submitted by: Pete Williams
Region: Santa Rosa County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Sep 08, 2011
Observation date: May 28, 2011
Submitted by: Eddie Huber
Region: Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 28, 2011
Observation date: Jun 03, 2011
Submitted by: rdhealy1951@aol.com
Region: Hardin County, Kentucky, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 24, 2011
Observation date: May 01, 2010
Submitted by: Tony DeSantis
Region: Camden County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: May 25, 2011
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