34 White-lined Sphinx

Hyles lineata

Characteristics

Wingspan: 2.56–3.55 in (65–90 mm).

Flight season: February–November.

Nectar sources: Columbines, evening primrose, honeysuckle, lilac, clovers, thistles Habitats: Scrub, gardens, meadows, deserts.

This North American moth is a member of the Sphingidae, the same family as the hawk-moths. It has long, tapering wings and hovers like a hummingbird at nectar flowers. The sphinx moth feeds mostly at dusk and through the night, but sometimes during the day as well. As a by-product of this activity, it is an important pollinator of columbines, evening primrose, honeysuckle, lilac, clover, and thistles. The forewing is dark brown, with a pale stripe extending from the base to the apex. A broad pink band runs across the hind wing. Black and white stripes run across the abdomen.

Females attract males by releasing pheromones, which the latter can detect even when far away. After mating, the females lay eggs on host plants. The caterpillars come in a range of colours. They eat voraciously—making them unpopular with some farmers and gardeners—then burrow into the soil when they are ready to pupate. After two or three weeks, they wriggle to the surface and the next generation emerges. In the warm climate of Mexico and the southern United States, there are usually several generations every year.