Higher classification Smerinthus | Scientific name Smerinthus jamaicensis Rank Species | |
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Similar Sphingidae, Smerinthus, Smerinthus cerisyi, Paonias excaecatus, Ceratomia amyntor | ||
Twin spotted sphinx moth sphingidae smerinthus jamaicensis dorsal view
Smerinthus jamaicensis (twin-spotted sphinx) is a moth of the family Sphingidae. It is widely distributed across North America and is found everywhere except in the southern half of western California. It has been taken as far north as the Yukon.
It has a wingspan of 1 3⁄4–3 1⁄4 inches (4.5–8.3 cm), with the outer margins of the forewings unevenly scalloped, but with the coastal margin of hindwings being almost straight. Males have gray with black and white markings on their forewings, while females are yellowish brown with dark brown and white markings.
Both sexes have red hindwings with a pale yellow border. Sometimes a blue patch may appear as a single eyespot or it may be divided by black bands, creating two or three eyespots. Adult moths are nocturnal, but seem to prefer the earlier part hours of the night.
The larvae feed on Apple (Malus sylvestris), Prunus species (such as plums and peach), Ash (Fraxinus), Elm (Ulmus), Poplar (Populus), Birch (Betula) and Willow (Salix).
