Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

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
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