Blinded Sphinx

Paonias  excaecatus

July 9, 2002

This is now the most common sphinx moth (sphingid) in my

neck of the woods.  

Like most sphinxes, they are very docile in the early morning.

Here are the "eyes" on the hind wings.  I suppose that when the wings are closed, the moth is "blinded"?

Last instar larva.  Note the typical pose which lends this family its common name - Sphinx Moth.

Click here to see the larva of its cousin - Small-eyed Sphinx (Paenias myops).