Abbott's sphinx
Sphecodina abbottii (Swainson, 1821)
Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Macroglossinae
Identification: Adults are bumblebee mimics and make a buzzing sound when feeding. Wing margins are scalloped. Forewing upperside is dark brown with light brown bands and markings. Hindwing upperside is yellow with a wide black outer margin.
Wing Span: 2 - 2 3/4 inches (5.1 - 7 cm).
Life History: Adults begin feeding at dusk. Caterpillars feed at night, and during the day rest hidden on the bark of their host plants. Fully-grown caterpillars pupate and overwinter in shallow underground cells.
Flight: . Two flights from February-August in Louisiana; one flight from May-June in the remainder of the range.
Caterpillar Hosts: Grape (Vitis) and ampelopsis (Ampelopsis).
Adult Food: Nectar from flowers including honeysuckle (Lonicera), lilac (Syringa vulgaris), and Viburnum.
Habitat: Woodlands.
Range: Northern Florida, Mississippi, and Texas north to Nebraska.
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
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 287 verified sightings
Observation date: Mar 10, 2019
Submitted by: Rose A. Payne
Region: Bibb County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Mar 12, 2019
Observation date: Jul 01, 2018
Submitted by: Sinnful
Region: Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: Tom Middagh
Verified date: Jan 18, 2019
Observation date: Jul 19, 2018
Submitted by: annejasperson
Region: Lake County, Minnesota, United States
Verified by: Tom Middagh
Verified date: Aug 28, 2018
Observation date: Jun 27, 2018
Submitted by: Argodog
Region: Manitoba, Canada
Verified by: chalicerae
Verified date: Jul 22, 2018
Observation date: Jul 02, 2018
Submitted by: kpries
Region: Manitoba, Canada
Verified by: chalicerae
Verified date: Jul 22, 2018
Observation date: Jul 03, 2018
Submitted by: fi11
Region: Manitoba, Canada
Verified by: chalicerae
Verified date: Jul 22, 2018
Observation date: Jul 08, 2018
Submitted by: Zigsmommy
Region: Manitoba, Canada
Verified by: chalicerae
Verified date: Jul 22, 2018
Observation date: Jul 08, 2018
Submitted by: Uwspkev
Region: Rappahannock County, Virginia, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 21, 2018
Observation date: Jul 05, 2018
Submitted by: tjsawyer54
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Jul 13, 2018
Observation date: Jul 07, 2018
Submitted by: JenMKram6
Region: Clermont County, Ohio, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 08, 2018
Observation date: Jun 30, 2018
Submitted by: Ctommasone
Region: Schenectady County, New York, United States
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Jul 04, 2018
Observation date: May 24, 2018
Submitted by: Stylurus
Region: Washtenaw County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: elsner
Verified date: Jun 22, 2018
Observation date: Jun 15, 2018
Submitted by: Sheryl Johnson
Region: Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jun 19, 2018
Observation date: May 17, 2018
Submitted by: MovingPortrait
Region: Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jun 16, 2018
Observation date: May 02, 2018
Submitted by: Daniel Taylor
Region: Worcester County, Maryland, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: May 14, 2018
Observation date: Apr 10, 2018
Submitted by: Stephen G.
Region: Yell County, Arkansas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Apr 16, 2018
Observation date: Apr 10, 2018
Submitted by: Stephen G.
Region: Yell County, Arkansas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Apr 16, 2018
Observation date: Jul 08, 2017
Submitted by: lornemack
Region: Manitoba, Canada
Verified by: chalicerae
Verified date: Apr 03, 2018
Observation date: Jul 17, 2017
Submitted by: Brad_Vokey
Region: Manitoba, Canada
Verified by: chalicerae
Verified date: Dec 04, 2017
Observation date: Jul 24, 2017
Submitted by: karenjoaneastwood
Region: Manitoba, Canada
Verified by: chalicerae
Verified date: Dec 04, 2017
Observation date: Apr 09, 2017
Submitted by: Melinda Bell
Region: Sumner County, Tennessee, United States
Verified by: Ken Childs
Verified date: Oct 22, 2017
Observation date: Aug 06, 2017
Submitted by: estabrook.wright
Region: Essex County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Aug 07, 2017
Observation date: Jul 31, 2017
Submitted by: Leojg
Region: Madison County, Virginia, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Aug 01, 2017
Observation date: Jul 25, 2017
Submitted by: Orange_Holiday
Region: Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: BGilley
Verified date: Jul 29, 2017
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