Twin-spotted sphinx facts for kids
The twin-spotted sphinx (also known as Smerinthus jamaicensis) is a type of moth. It belongs to a group of moths called Sphingidae. A scientist named Dru Drury first described this moth in 1773.
Quick facts for kids Twin-spotted sphinx |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Smerinthus
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| Species: |
jamaicensis
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| Synonyms | |
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Contents
Where the Twin-Spotted Sphinx Lives
This moth lives all over North America. You can find it from the southern parts all the way up to the cold Yukon in Canada.
What the Twin-Spotted Sphinx Looks Like
These moths have a wingspan of about 1.75 to 3.25 inches (4.5 to 8.3 cm). The edges of their front wings are wavy. However, the edges of their back wings are mostly straight.
Colors and Patterns
Male moths are gray with black and white marks on their front wings. Female moths are yellowish-brown. They have dark brown and white marks on their front wings.
Both male and female moths have red back wings. These red wings have a light yellow border. Sometimes, a blue spot looks like a single eyespot. Other times, this blue spot is split by black lines. This can make it look like two or three eyespots.
When They Are Active
Adult moths are active at night. They seem to prefer flying during the early hours of the night.
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Smerinthus jamaicensis male moth
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Smerinthus jamaicensis male moth (underside)
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Smerinthus jamaicensis female moth (underside)
What Twin-Spotted Sphinx Caterpillars Eat
The young moths, called larvae or caterpillars, eat leaves from many different trees. They like apple trees (Malus sylvestris). They also eat leaves from Prunus trees, like plum and peach trees. Other favorite foods include ash (Fraxinus), elm (Ulmus), poplar (Populus), birch (Betula), and willow (Salix) trees.
