Wild cherry sphinx
Sphinx drupiferarum J.E. Smith, 1797
Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Sphinginae
Identification: Upperside of forewing is dark gray with a white band along the costa and one along the outer margin. Hindwing is dark gray with 2 whitish bands.
Wing Span: 3 1/4 - 4 5/16 inches (8.2 - 11 cm).
Life History: Caterpillars hide during the day and feed at night. Fully-grown caterpillars pupate and overwinter in underground burrows.
Flight: . One brood from May-July.
Caterpillar Hosts: Wild cherry and plum (Prunus species) lilac (Syringa vulgaris), hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), and apple (Malus sylvestris).
Adult Food: Nectar from deep-throated flowers including Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica).
Habitat: A wide variety of wooded habitats and suburbs.
Range: Uncommon in its range. Nova Scotia south to Georgia; west through most of the United States and southern Canada to British Columbia and central California.
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 213 verified sightings
Observation date: Jun 04, 2018
Submitted by: Joe Bartok
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jun 17, 2018
Observation date: Jun 13, 2018
Submitted by: Joe Bartok
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jun 17, 2018
Observation date: Jun 06, 2018
Submitted by: Quivira NWR
Region: Stafford County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jun 07, 2018
Observation date: May 04, 2018
Submitted by: LauraMurdoch
Region: Woodward County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: May 04, 2018
Observation date: Jul 19, 2017
Submitted by: Joe Bartok
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 19, 2017
Observation date: Jun 22, 2017
Submitted by: Joe Bartok
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jun 22, 2017
Observation date: Jun 11, 2015
Submitted by: iangardner
Region: Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Sep 30, 2016
Observation date: Jul 06, 2016
Submitted by: balabaster
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 06, 2016
Observation date: May 02, 2016
Submitted by: Sue Orlowski
Region: Spokane County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 15, 2016
Observation date: May 13, 2015
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Sheridan County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Dec 03, 2015
Observation date: May 30, 2015
Submitted by: TeaKH
Region: Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: TeaKH
Verified date: Jul 21, 2015
Observation date: Jul 04, 2015
Submitted by: Paul Levinson
Region: Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 04, 2015
Observation date: Jun 11, 2015
Submitted by: davmcnaugh
Region: Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jun 13, 2015
Observation date: May 18, 2015
Submitted by: dhsmall
Region: Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: May 21, 2015
Observation date: May 12, 2015
Submitted by: Nakhome@telus.net
Region: Stevens County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 19, 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: Aug 02, 2014
Submitted by: Chris Blomme
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Aug 13, 2014
Observation date: Jul 16, 2014
Submitted by: sierralittle
Region: Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 16, 2014
Observation date: Jun 04, 2014
Submitted by: Tom Middagh
Region: Clay County, South Dakota, United States
Verified by: Tom Middagh
Verified date: Jun 16, 2014
Observation date: Jul 13, 2013
Submitted by: cab0925
Region: Boulder County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: charleseharp
Verified date: Oct 18, 2013
Observation date: Aug 09, 2013
Submitted by: joso
Region: Saskatchewan, Canada
Verified by: Tom Middagh
Verified date: Sep 17, 2013
Observation date: Jul 26, 2013
Submitted by: Dragonflymorph
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Aug 13, 2013
Observation date: Jul 08, 2013
Submitted by: nickenew
Region: Sullivan County, New Hampshire, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 09, 2013
Observation date: Aug 04, 2012
Submitted by: j10mes
Region: Quebec, Canada
Verified by: Ryan St Laurent
Verified date: Oct 10, 2012
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