Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Family Sphingidae Scientific name Lintneria eremitus | Phylum Arthropoda Order Lepidoptera Genus Lintneria Rank Species | |
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Similar Lintneria, Sphinx gordius, Sphinx canadensis, Ceratomia amyntor, Lapara bombycoides | ||
Lintneria eremitus (hermit sphinx) is a moth of the family Sphingidae. It is found in the temperate areas of the eastern United States, north into southern Canada over the Great Plains. It prefers gardens and yards, but is common wherever the nectar and larval host plants are found. This moth is easily confused with the Canadian sphinx (Sphinx canadensis) but these two moths do not typically co-occur.
The wingspan is 65–75 mm. There is one generation per year with adults on wing from late June to August. They nectar at deep-throated, light colored flowers such as phlox (Phlox spp.) or milkweed (Asclepias spp.). Adults typically fly at dusk. They are easily attracted to light.
The larvae feed on many plants in the Lamiaceae family, such as Lycopus, Mentha, Monarda and Salvia species. Larvae have green, black, or brown coloration.