This oddly shaped sphinx-like moth is called a Spotted Apatelodes (Apatelodes torrefacta). They are in the family Bombycidae which are the Silk Moths.....Sphinx Moths are in the family Sphingiidae. They are a moderately sized moth with a wingspan up to 2 inches. The adults are gray with brownish colored lines running through the forewings. They will often continue the ruse of appearing like sphinx moths by holding their wings and tail up at a vertical angle (pictured).
Look for them in deciduous woodland and nearby areas from Texas eastward to Florida and north to southern Ontario. The larvae feed on Ash, Maple, Oak and Cherry. Most likely in Missouri there will be one generation per year.
UPDATE: I checked the BAMONA (Butterflies and Moths of North America) website for this moth in Missouri. There were no recorded sightings. I reported this moth to our Missouri representative Philip Koenig. He said he would add the information to BAMONA. Looks like my sighting of this particular moth may be the first for Missouri...or at least the first one reported.
WONderful photograph! That lighting is perfect. Very handsome moth. Are sphinx moths untasty? Just wondering why a silk moth tries to look like a sphinx moth. Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteGot one of my new books and laughed when I saw how many beetles resemble the Lizard Beetle,red head ,black body.Hmm did I see one?Now this is a mimic, a fun capture.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bio....I have no idea what benefit would be gained by being a mimic of a sphinx moth...as far as I know they are tasty. I've seen bats eat them. I am with you though...it is a curious adaptation.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about that beetle...that was the problem I had trying to identify it. I looked through every field guide I have and could not make up my mind. I finally had to give in and send the image to bugguide.net and let them solve the mystery. How do you like the new books?
ReplyDeleteI love this moth...it is so unique. After looking at the BAMONA website I discovered there is not a record for it in NW Missouri. I contacted our regional representative and gave him the info and he will add it to their data base
I've never seen one of these moths - very cool. I have found the caterpillar and it definitely would qualify as a "Cousin It" double.
ReplyDeleteI had never seen one before either. It was so much like a sphinx moth that i really thought it was. I looked it up on the "Butterfly and Moths" (BAMONA) website and discovered there were no documented records for Missouri. I sent the photo and other information to Phillip Koenig. He wrote me back and said he entered the data....so NOW there is a documented sighting in Missouri out there :o)
ReplyDeleteI saw one for the first time today in Georgia, I had no idea what it was....quite scary looking critter....Are they dangerous in any way? Poisonus??
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, they are perfectly harmless. They cannot bite, sting or cause any problems.The caterpillars feed on Ash, Maple, Oak and Cherry trees and in large numbers may defoliate a tree, but other than that no worries
ReplyDeleteI saw one in Massachusetts two days ago. Have a great pic how do I upload it here?
ReplyDeleteTSchu---U can't upload it here, but if you email it to me with your full name I will add it to the post and give you credit for it
ReplyDeleteWe found one of these caterpillars in our backyard this morning (the yellow fuzzy caterpillar) How can we keep it to see it change?
ReplyDeleteFound out about this moth after searching online for what we thought it looked like == "dragon moth". I see several areas where this creature is known to reside in - we definitely thought it unusual to find here in east Long Island / New York... Grown up here for over 35 years and have never seen one of these. Kids LOVE calling it a dragon moth, so that's our name for him and we're sticking to it.
ReplyDeleteHow do I send you a pic of one I just found on our door in Potosi, MO? Just got home...it was on our door. I googled to see what it is. -Chad
ReplyDeleteYou can send your picture to me at MOpiggys@aol.com
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