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Digital Guide to Moth Identification

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

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Distribution: 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: cingulata Fabricius 1775 (Sphinx) - MONA 1983: 7771 affinis Goeze 1780 (Sphinx) decolora Edwards 1882 (Sphinx) druraei Donovan 1810 (Sphinx) pallida Closs 1917 (Herse) pungens Eschscholtz 1821 (Sphinx) tukurine Lichy 1943 (Herse) ypsilon-nigrum Bryk 1953 (Agrius)

References

Barcode of Life (BOLD) - Caution: DNA barcode provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification, and some BOLD specimens shown may not be sequenced. 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.

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