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Digital Guide to Moth Identification

Sphingidae
890136 – 7817   Lapara bombycoides Walker, 1856
             Northern Pine Sphinx

© Fyn Kynd
Distribution: Caution: A single range map dot for a Canadian province may represent records without specific location data.
Ranges from Nova Scotia to Alberta and is commonly found from Maine to New Jersey and westward to Wisconsin and Minnesota. It is also found uncommonly south along the Appalachians and even into Florida. In Maryland, Glaser reports it uncommon but widespread within the State.
Seasonality
and Size:
Single brooded, adults fly mid-June to mid-July in Canada, May17 - Aug. 28 in Maryland. Wingspan 45 - 60 mm.
Larva and
Host Plants:
Foodplants include pine (pitch, red, Scots and white) and larch. Larva bright yellow-green, with cream stripes on the back, and above and below the spiracles. Reddish blotches down the central back. No horn. Reddish brown face with yellow edging.
Description/
Field Marks:
  • Forewing gray with two black dashes in median area.
  • Other markings very diffuse.
  • Hindwing pale gray.
Similar Species:
  • Pinned specimens of related species. (Hint: select View by Region on the related species page.)
Synonymy: Lapara bombycoides Walker, 1856
Ellema harrisii Clemens, 1859
Ellema pineum Lintner, [1872]
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.36; Pl. 5(8, male).
  • Hodges, R. W., 1971. Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 21:p. 75; pl. 6.3-4, 6. order or free PDF
  • Species Page at Bill Oehlke's moth website - Lapara bombycoides
  • Species Page at BugGuide.Net
  • Species Page at E. H. Strickland Museum
  • Species Page at Mass Moths
  • Tuttle, J. P., 2007. Hawk Moths of North America: p. 108; pl. 9.3-4.
  • Wagner, D. L., (2005). Caterpillars of Eastern North America, p. 254.
Lapara bombycoides
© David Silsbee
Lapara bombycoides
© David Bree
Lapara bombycoides
© Robin McLeod
Lapara bombycoides
© Nolie Schneider
Lapara bombycoides
© Jason Dombroskie
Lapara bombycoides
50mm – © Jim Vargo
Lapara bombycoides
© Josée Quimper (Quebec.ca) LG
on Pinus banksiana
Lapara bombycoides
© Josée Quimper (Quebec.ca) LG
on Pinus banksiana
Lapara bombycoides
© Josée Quimper (Quebec.ca) LG
on Pinus banksiana
Lapara bombycoides
© Canadian National Collection LG

Lapara bombycoides
© John G. Franclemont CUIC LG


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