Bicolored honey locust moth
Syssphinx bicolor (Harris, 1841)
Family: Saturniidae
Subfamily: Ceratocampinae
Identification: Much individual and seasonal variability. Females are larger than males. Upperside of wings ranges from reddish brown to reddish orange to brownish yellow. Forewing has a postmedian line which is distinct and bent toward the wing base or almost absent, and 0-2 white cell spots. Hindwing has no submedian line. Both wings have varying amounts of scattered black specks, or none at all.
Wing Span: 1 7/8 - 2 5/8 inches (4.7 - 6.7 cm).
Life History: Adults emerge in the evening and mate later that night. After dusk the next day, females lay eggs singly or in pairs on host plant leaflets. Hatching can occur in as few as 5 days, if the air temperature has been warm enough. The whole life cycle can be completed in 6 weeks. Fully-grown caterpillars pupate in shallow underground chambers. The late summer broods overwinter as pupae.
Flight: Populations in the extreme north have 2 broods each year from May-June and from July-August. There are 3 flights in the remainder of its range from April-September.
Caterpillar Hosts: Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) and Kentucky coffee tree (Gymnocladus dioicus).
Adult Food: Adults do not feed.
Habitat: Deciduous woodland.
Range: Common. New Jersey west through southern Ontario to southwestern Wisconsin; south to central South Carolina, northern Georgia, central Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, east Texas, and the lower Rio Grande Valley; south to Nuevo Leon, 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.
Alternate Scientific Names:
Sphingicampa bicolor
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 25 - 48 of 384 verified sightings
Observation date: Sep 05, 2014
Submitted by: Indy Entomologist
Region: Boone County, Indiana, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jan 16, 2015
Observation date: Aug 04, 2014
Submitted by: naemyers06
Region: Hardin County, Ohio, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Dec 30, 2014
Observation date: Aug 03, 2014
Submitted by: Dave Rintoul
Region: Riley County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Aug 04, 2014
Observation date: Aug 15, 2012
Submitted by: groehm
Region: Van Wert County, Ohio, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jun 27, 2013
Observation date: May 27, 2013
Submitted by: HClenin
Region: Lafayette County, Missouri, United States
Verified by: Phillip E. Koenig
Verified date: Jun 05, 2013
Observation date: May 18, 2013
Submitted by: BumTaco
Region: Jay County, Indiana, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: May 26, 2013
Observation date: Jul 27, 2010
Submitted by: ddodd
Region: Marshall County, Alabama, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: May 03, 2013
Observation date: Jun 25, 2012
Submitted by: Jakenowatzke
Region: Sarpy County, Nebraska, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Nov 23, 2012
Observation date: Jun 25, 2012
Submitted by: Jakenowatzke
Region: Sarpy County, Nebraska, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Nov 23, 2012
Observation date: Apr 24, 2011
Submitted by: lfelliott
Region: Boone County, Missouri, United States
Verified by: Phillip E. Koenig
Verified date: Jul 10, 2012
Observation date: Sep 03, 2011
Submitted by: George Sims
Region: Douglas County, Missouri, United States
Verified by: Phillip E. Koenig
Verified date: Sep 10, 2011
Observation date: Mar 13, 2011
Submitted by: richhj@ymail.com
Region: Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States
Verified by: lorispencer
Verified date: Jul 10, 2011
Observation date: Apr 22, 2001
Submitted by: George Sims
Region: Douglas County, Missouri, United States
Verified by: Phillip E. Koenig
Verified date: Apr 27, 2011
Observation date: Mar 14, 2011
Submitted by: sylverkestrel
Region: Collin County, Texas, United States
Verified by: kmortensen
Verified date: Mar 17, 2011
Observation date: Aug 10, 2007
Submitted by: rdhealy1951@aol.com
Region: Hart County, Kentucky, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Feb 22, 2011
Observation date: May 22, 2009
Submitted by: Eddie Huber
Region: Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Feb 22, 2011
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA
Region:
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA
Region:
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
Observation date: Jun 15, 2007
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Wedge Watkins)
Region: Boone County, Missouri, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Wedge Watkins)
Verified date: Jan 05, 2010
Observation date: Sep 03, 1974
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Conners, Jeff)
Region: Sullivan County, Missouri, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Phillip Koenig; Heitzman, J.R.)
Verified date: Mar 05, 2009
Observation date: Jun 14, 1978
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Linn County, Missouri, United States
Verified by: Phillip E. Koenig (Phillip Koenig)
Verified date: Mar 05, 2009
Observation date: Aug 01, 1999
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Winkler, George)
Region: Phelps County, Missouri, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Phillip Koenig; Winkler, George)
Verified date: Mar 05, 2009
Observation date: May 04, 1958
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Shier, Marion)
Region: Buchanan County, Missouri, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Phillip Koenig; Heitzman, J.R.)
Verified date: Mar 05, 2009
Observation date: Jul 10, 1975
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Knisely, G.A.)
Region: Henry County, Missouri, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Phillip Koenig; Heitzman, J.R.)
Verified date: Mar 05, 2009
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