Laurel sphinx
Sphinx kalmiae J.E. Smith, 1797
Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Sphinginae
Identification: Forewing is yellowish brown with a thin whitish line along the outer margin and a black patch along the inner margin. Hindwing is tan with a black border, black median line, and black patch at the base.
Wing Span: 2 15/16 - 4 1/16 inches (7.5 - 10.3 cm).
Life History: Fully-grown caterpillars pupate in cells dug in loose soil. Caterpillars of the second brood pupate and overwinter.
Flight: . Probably two broods from March-October.
Caterpillar Hosts: Laurel (Kalmia latifolia), lilac (Syringa vulgaris), fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus), privet (Ligustrum), ash (Fraxinus), poplar (Populus), mountain holly (Nemopanthus mucronatus), and northern bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera).
Adult Food: Bouncing bet (Saponaria officinalis) and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica).
Habitat: Not reported.
Range: Newfoundland and Maine west to Manitoba and North Dakota; south to Alabama and Louisiana.
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.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 25 - 48 of 448 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 24, 2022
Submitted by: commentator
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 30, 2022
Observation date: Jul 23, 2022
Submitted by: TheLastGamerYT
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jul 24, 2022
Observation date: Jul 17, 2022
Submitted by: BarbSendelbach
Region: Sussex County, New Jersey, United States
Verified by: BarbSendelbach
Verified date: Jul 22, 2022
Observation date: Jul 15, 2022
Submitted by: kathy.wiederholt
Region: Foster County, North Dakota, United States
Verified by: Tom Middagh
Verified date: Jul 20, 2022
Observation date: May 22, 2022
Submitted by: BarbSendelbach
Region: Sussex County, New Jersey, United States
Verified by: BarbSendelbach
Verified date: May 23, 2022
Observation date: May 19, 2022
Submitted by: Lancet
Region: Preston County, West Virginia, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: May 19, 2022
Observation date: Sep 17, 2017
Submitted by: John Doe
Region: Quebec, Canada
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Feb 17, 2022
Observation date: Sep 15, 2018
Submitted by: joyceannleppard...
Region: Michigan, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Feb 11, 2022
Observation date: Jul 31, 2013
Submitted by: memu
Region: New Brunswick, Canada
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Feb 01, 2022
Observation date: Jun 06, 2013
Submitted by: Allen B
Region: Warren County, New Jersey, United States
Verified by: Allen B
Verified date: Jan 31, 2022
Observation date: Jul 17, 2013
Submitted by: Allen B
Region: Warren County, New Jersey, United States
Verified by: Allen B
Verified date: Jan 13, 2022
Observation date: Sep 13, 2017
Submitted by: Joan massey
Region: Nova Scotia, Canada
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jan 07, 2022
Observation date: Aug 26, 2017
Submitted by: Hilda Pomeroy
Region: Oneida County, New York, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Oct 30, 2021
Observation date: Oct 14, 2017
Submitted by: shilfiell
Region: Genesee County, New York, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Oct 29, 2021
Observation date: Sep 21, 2019
Submitted by: tsfauver
Region: Westchester County, New York, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Oct 27, 2021
Observation date: Jul 23, 2021
Submitted by: Nancyk
Region: Hamilton County, Indiana, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Aug 13, 2021
Observation date: Jul 15, 2021
Submitted by: MochaNeko
Region: Madison County, Alabama, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jul 24, 2021
Observation date: Jul 13, 2021
Submitted by: Judy_B.
Region: Trumbull County, Ohio, United States
Verified by: Ohio97
Verified date: Jul 15, 2021
Observation date: Jun 12, 2021
Submitted by: Kland90
Region: Dorchester County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jun 13, 2021
Observation date: Jul 02, 2017
Submitted by: Aboover
Region: Knox County, Maine, United States
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Mar 09, 2021
Observation date: Jun 10, 2020
Submitted by: Housed
Region: Penobscot County, Maine, United States
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Feb 16, 2021
Observation date: Jul 28, 2019
Submitted by: Chrisbget
Region: Mason County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: Mark Wheeler
Verified date: Feb 02, 2021
Observation date: Aug 22, 2020
Submitted by: MarkNenadov
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jan 25, 2021
Observation date: Sep 22, 2019
Submitted by: BritMaike
Region: Washington County, Vermont, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Dec 29, 2020
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