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Digital Guide to Moth Identification

Sphingidae
890103 – 7787   Ceratomia undulosa (Walker, 1856)
             Waved Sphinx

© Mark Dreiling - DNA
Distribution: Prince Edward Island to Alberta, North Dakota and Colorado, southward to Florida and western Texas.
Seasonality
and Size:
Two broods in the south from March to October, one brood in the north from May to August. Glaser reports this moth as common throughout Maryland between 28 April and 8 September. Wingspan 78 - 110 mm.
Larva and
Host Plants:
Light green hornworm, red/brown forms may be encountered: the horn may be pink. Seven pairs of oblique lateral stripes, and a broad stripe on the head from eyes to crown. Convex anal plate and anal prolegs with raised black spots Spiracles have a white center, edged with orange. Ash is the preferred food plant, but lilac, privet and fringe-tree may also be eaten.
Description/
Field Marks:
  • forewing usually pale brownish gray. Some individuals, particularly from the northern Great Plains, may be very dark, and others may be pale yellowish brown.
  • jagged black lines and black dashes on forewings well defined.
  • reniform spot large, white with black outline.
  • hindwing gray with diffuse darker gray lines.
Similar Species:
  • See discussion under 7786 - Elm Sphinx, C. amyntor.
  • Pinned specimens of related species. (Hint: select View by Region on the related species page.)
Synonymy:
  • undulosa Walker 1856 (Daremma) - MONA 1983: 7787
  • borealis Clark 1929 (Ceratomia)
  • engeli Chermock & Chermock 1940 (Ceratomia)
  • polingi Clark 1929 (Ceratomia)
  • repentinus Clemens 1859 (Ceratomia)
  • 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.33; Pl. 4(10, male).
    • 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. 42; pl. 2.12. order or free PDF
    • Species Page at Bill Oehlke's moth website - Ceratomia undulosa
    • Species Page at BugGuide.Net
    • Species Page at E. H. Strickland Museum
    • Species Page at Mass Moths
    • Species Page at Pacific Northwest Moths
    • Tuttle, J. P., 2007. Hawk Moths of North America: p. 64; pl. 9.9-10, 13.
    • Wagner, D. L., (2005). Caterpillars of Eastern North America, p. 252.
    Ceratomia undulosa
    © Machele White
    Ceratomia undulosa
    © John Himmelman
    Ceratomia undulosa
    © Nolie Schneider
    Ceratomia undulosa
    © Ken Childs
    Ceratomia undulosa
    85mm – © Jim Vargo
    Ceratomia undulosa
    © George Smiley LG
    on Forestiera acuminata
    Ceratomia undulosa
    © George Smiley LG
    on Forestiera acuminata
    Ceratomia undulosa
    © George Smiley LG
    on Forestiera acuminata
    Ceratomia undulosa
    © George Smiley LG
    on Forestiera acuminata
    Ceratomia undulosa
    © Canadian National Collection LG

    Ceratomia undulosa
    © Bev Wigney

    Ceratomia undulosa
    © Roxanne Bertrand (Quebec.ca) LG
    on Fraxinus americana
    Ceratomia undulosa
    © Roxanne Bertrand (Quebec.ca) LG
    on Fraxinus americana

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