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Digital Guide to Moth Identification

Sphingidae
890086 – 7771   Agrius cingulata (Fabricius, 1775)
             Pink-spotted Hawk Moth

© Alan Chin-Lee
Distribution: Caution: A single range map dot for a Canadian province may represent records without specific location data.
Essentially a neotropical species breeding in the deep southern and southwestern border areas of the USA, strays broadly northward in the East to lower Canada and the Maritimes, and in the West to British Columbia.
Seasonality
and Size:
It is found in Maryland, according to John Glaser, from 12 August to 16 October, common in the Coastal Plain but rare westward. There are several broods in the deep south where it may be active throughout the year. Wingspan ranges from 95 - 120 mm.
Larva and
Host Plants:
Larva may attain pest status on sweet potato, and also are known to utilize jimsonweed, pawpaw and morning-glory. Adults may nectar at deep-throated flowers such as moonflower, morning glory, honeysuckle and petunia.
Description/
Field Marks:
  • pink crossbands on abdomen.
  • hindwing gray with black bands and pink shading towards base.
  • In form decolorus the pink on hindwing and abdomen is replaced by pale pinkish white.
  • Similar Species:
    • Pinned specimens of related species. (Hint: select View by Region on the related species page.)
    Synonymy: Sphinx cingulata Fabricius, 1775
    Sphinx affinis Goeze, 1780
    Sphinx decolora Edwards, 1882
    Sphinx druraei Donovan, 1810
    Herse pallida Closs, 1917
    Sphinx pungens Eschscholtz, 1821
    Herse tukurine Lichy, 1943
    Agrius ypsilon-nigrum Bryk, 1953
    References
    • Barcode of Life (BOLD) - Caution: Some specimens shown may not be sequenced. DNA barcode provides evidence of relatedness not proof of identification.
    • Covell Field Guide p.31; Pl. 3(1).
    • Hall et al., 2021. The Moths of North Carolina - website (identification, habitats and life history)
    • Hodges, R. W., 1971. Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 21:p. 22; pl. 1.1. order or free PDF
    • Species Page at Bill Oehlke's moth website - Agrius cingulata
    • Species Page at Block Island Moths
    • Species Page at BugGuide.Net
    • Species Page at Mass Moths
    • Species Page at Pacific Northwest Moths
    • Tuttle, J. P., 2007. Hawk Moths of North America: p. 43; pl. 10.9.
    • Wagner, D. L., (2005). Caterpillars of Eastern North America, p. 249.
    Agrius cingulata
    © Bob Patterson
    Agrius cingulata
    © Julia Schenzinger
    Agrius cingulata
    © Lynette Schimming
    Agrius cingulata
    © Nolie Schneider
    Agrius cingulata
    © Mark de Silva
    Agrius cingulata
    © Gretchen Grammer
    Agrius cingulata
    © Ken Childs
    Agrius cingulata
    105mm – © Jim Vargo
    Agrius cingulata
    95mm – © Jim Vargo
    Agrius cingulata
    © Brody J. Thomassen LG

    Agrius cingulata
    © Brody J. Thomassen LG

    Agrius cingulata
    © Brody J. Thomassen LG


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