Laurel sphinx
Sphinx kalmiae J.E. Smith, 1797
Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Sphinginae
Identification: Forewing is yellowish brown with a thin whitish line along the outer margin and a black patch along the inner margin. Hindwing is tan with a black border, black median line, and black patch at the base.
Wing Span: 2 15/16 - 4 1/16 inches (7.5 - 10.3 cm).
Life History: Fully-grown caterpillars pupate in cells dug in loose soil. Caterpillars of the second brood pupate and overwinter.
Flight: . Probably two broods from March-October.
Caterpillar Hosts: Laurel (Kalmia latifolia), lilac (Syringa vulgaris), fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus), privet (Ligustrum), ash (Fraxinus), poplar (Populus), mountain holly (Nemopanthus mucronatus), and northern bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera).
Adult Food: Bouncing bet (Saponaria officinalis) and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica).
Habitat: Not reported.
Range: Newfoundland and Maine west to Manitoba and North Dakota; south to Alabama and Louisiana.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 73 - 96 of 444 verified sightings
Observation date: Aug 06, 2019
Submitted by: Christine Stanke
Region: Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: Ilona L.
Verified date: Aug 08, 2019
Observation date: Jul 29, 2019
Submitted by: JasmynE
Region: Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Aug 06, 2019
Observation date: Aug 03, 2019
Submitted by: Hattmite55
Region: Nova Scotia, Canada
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Aug 05, 2019
Observation date: Jul 31, 2019
Submitted by: mnorman
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Aug 01, 2019
Observation date: Jul 20, 2019
Submitted by: jollygoodyellow
Region: Nova Scotia, Canada
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Jul 26, 2019
Observation date: Jun 26, 2019
Submitted by: Jody
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 24, 2019
Observation date: Jul 19, 2019
Submitted by: EleanorR
Region: Nova Scotia, Canada
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Jul 21, 2019
Observation date: Jul 20, 2019
Submitted by: Gus Nyberg
Region: Newton County, Indiana, United States
Verified by: Howell_Curtis
Verified date: Jul 20, 2019
Observation date: Jul 08, 2019
Submitted by: LauraS
Region: St. Clair County, Illinois, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 12, 2019
Observation date: Apr 24, 2019
Submitted by: Rose A. Payne
Region: Bibb County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Jun 13, 2019
Observation date: Jun 09, 2019
Submitted by: Schemk82
Region: Huntington County, Indiana, United States
Verified by: Howell_Curtis
Verified date: Jun 10, 2019
Observation date: Jun 07, 2019
Submitted by: crmiller1
Region: Hudson County, New Jersey, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jun 08, 2019
Observation date: Jun 07, 2019
Submitted by: crmiller1
Region: Hudson County, New Jersey, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jun 08, 2019
Observation date: Jun 03, 2019
Submitted by: Mirjam
Region: Rock County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: Ilona L.
Verified date: Jun 03, 2019
Observation date: Jun 21, 2018
Submitted by: Mark Wheeler
Region: Washington County, Minnesota, United States
Verified by: Tom Middagh
Verified date: Apr 28, 2019
Observation date: Jul 27, 2018
Submitted by: Rangertsp
Region: Wilson County, Tennessee, United States
Verified by: Ken Childs
Verified date: Dec 15, 2018
Observation date: Sep 22, 2016
Submitted by: steviewander
Region: Butler County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Dec 14, 2018
Observation date: Aug 12, 2018
Submitted by: eattaway92
Region: Will County, Illinois, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Nov 21, 2018
Observation date: Sep 27, 2018
Submitted by: pmrules21
Region: Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Nov 01, 2018
Observation date: Sep 22, 2018
Submitted by: bkohler
Region: Hocking County, Ohio, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Oct 03, 2018
Observation date: Aug 26, 2018
Submitted by: sebruins
Region: Dane County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: Tom Middagh
Verified date: Sep 19, 2018
Observation date: Sep 16, 2018
Submitted by: miranro1
Region: Warren County, New Jersey, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Sep 16, 2018
Observation date: Jul 12, 2018
Submitted by: Joe Bartok
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Sep 10, 2018
Observation date: Aug 29, 2018
Submitted by: pachips
Region: Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Aug 29, 2018
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