Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

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.
Comments: NULL

Verified Sightings

Displaying 25 - 48 of 438 verified sightings
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
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Observation date: Sep 13, 2017
Submitted by: Joan massey
Region: Nova Scotia, Canada
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jan 07, 2022
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Observation date: Aug 26, 2017
Submitted by: Hilda Pomeroy
Region: Oneida County, New York, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Oct 30, 2021
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Observation date: Oct 14, 2017
Submitted by: shilfiell
Region: Genesee County, New York, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Oct 29, 2021
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Observation date: Sep 21, 2019
Submitted by: tsfauver
Region: Westchester County, New York, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Oct 27, 2021
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Observation date: Jul 23, 2021
Submitted by: Nancyk
Region: Hamilton County, Indiana, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Aug 13, 2021
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Observation date: Jul 15, 2021
Submitted by: MochaNeko
Region: Madison County, Alabama, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jul 24, 2021
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Observation date: Jul 13, 2021
Submitted by: Judy_B.
Region: Trumbull County, Ohio, United States
Verified by: Ohio97
Verified date: Jul 15, 2021
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Observation date: Jun 12, 2021
Submitted by: Kland90
Region: Dorchester County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jun 13, 2021
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Observation date: Jul 02, 2017
Submitted by: Aboover
Region: Knox County, Maine, United States
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Mar 09, 2021
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Observation date: Jun 10, 2020
Submitted by: Housed
Region: Penobscot County, Maine, United States
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Feb 16, 2021
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Observation date: Jul 28, 2019
Submitted by: Chrisbget
Region: Mason County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: Mark Wheeler
Verified date: Feb 02, 2021
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Observation date: Aug 22, 2020
Submitted by: MarkNenadov
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jan 25, 2021
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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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Observation date: Oct 11, 2017
Submitted by: Jacquie444
Region: Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Dec 17, 2020
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Observation date: Jul 30, 2020
Submitted by: Melinda Bell
Region: Sumner County, Tennessee, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Dec 10, 2020
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Observation date: Aug 06, 2018
Submitted by: wade wander
Region: Sussex County, New Jersey, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Oct 13, 2020
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Observation date: Jun 16, 2020
Submitted by: Ilona L.
Region: Dane County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: Ilona L.
Verified date: Oct 07, 2020
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Observation date: Sep 04, 2020
Submitted by: Mark Vass
Region: Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Sep 05, 2020
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Observation date: Aug 13, 2020
Submitted by: agdsquash
Region: Franklin County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Aug 16, 2020
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Observation date: Aug 01, 2020
Submitted by: Stephen G.
Region: Benton County, Arkansas, United States
Verified by: Stephen G.
Verified date: Aug 12, 2020
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Observation date: Jul 25, 2020
Submitted by: Jwhite58@roadru...
Region: Ashtabula County, Ohio, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 25, 2020
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Observation date: Jul 18, 2020
Submitted by: mikeinportc369
Region: Broome County, New York, United States
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Jul 23, 2020
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Observation date: Jul 12, 2020
Submitted by: blueracer
Region: Ashland County, Ohio, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 12, 2020
  Details