Caterpillars of Eastern Forests
Hornworms (Family Sphingidae)
Hornworms, the larvae of sphinx or hawk moths, are among the largest and most familiar caterpillars. Almost all have a dorsal horn on the eighth abdominal segment, and hence their common name. Each segment is annulated with 6 to 8 shallow creases. Body setae are absent or inconspicuous except in the vicinity of the prolegs. The anal prolegs are flattened and form a triangle below the anal plate. Crochets of 2 lengths are arranged in a series parallel to the body axis. The large frass of hornworms often reveals their presence in a tree or garden. They are commonly encountered as they wander over the ground in search of pupation sites. Upon handling, they may thrash violently from side to side as well as regurgitate over their would-be captors. Food plant associations can be helpful in identification.
 Great Ash Sphinx (Sphinx chersis) |
 Northern Apple Sphinx (Sphinx poecila) |
 Laurel Sphinx (Sphinx kalmiae) |
 Wild Cherry Sphinx (Sphinx drupiferarum) |
 Pawpaw Sphinx (Dolba hyloeus) |
 Catalpa Sphinx (Ceratomia catalpae) |
 Waved Sphinx (Ceratomia undulosa) |
 Northern Pine Sphinx (Lapara bombycoides) |
 Twin-spotted Sphinx (Smerinthus jamaicensis) |
 Blinded Sphinx (Paonias excaecatus) |
 Small-eyed Sphinx (Paonias myops) |
 Four-horned Sphinx (Ceratomia amyntor) |
 Walnut Sphinx (Cressonia juglandis) |
 Big Poplar Sphinx (Pachysphinx modesta) |
 Hummingbird Sphinx (Hemaris thysbe) |
 Hog Sphinx (Darapsa myron) |
 Azalea Sphinx (Darapsa pholus) |
 Nessus Sphinx (Amphion floridensis) |
 Pandora Sphinx (Eumorpha pandorus) |
 Abbot's Sphinx (Sphecodina abbottii) |
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