Blinded Sphinx Moth
The blinded sphinx moth, Paonias excaecatus, is a member of the Sphingidae family of hawk moths. Most of this family’s larvae possess a horn at the tip of the abdomen. The tomato and tobacco hornworm larvae are members of this family, as is the hummingbird clearwing moth. The blinded sphinx moth has strongly scalloped margins on its forewings and a single blue eye spot on each of its two hind wings (which don’t show if the moth’s wings are folded). Its common name derives from the fact that these “eyes” have no pupils. In its larval stage, the green larva eats the leaves of many deciduous trees, including willow, birch, poplar and cherry; the adult moth does not feed. After pupating underground, the adult moths emerge and mate. Males (pictured) rest with their abdomen curved upwards.
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