#Giant Sphinx Moth

Is it a hummingbird? No, it’s a white-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata)! These moths hover in front of flowers and drink nectar through their proboscis, a tube that extends from the front of their heads. Sphinx moths look, move, and eat like hummingbirds, but they are not closely related. Hummingbirds and sphinx moths–creatures from two different branches on the tree of life–have evolved similar traits to fill similar ecological niches. This phenomenon of two unrelated species forming similar adaptations is called “convergent evolution.” The nectar from tubular flowers such as lilies, columbines, and penstemons is typical of a sphinx moth’s diet. In the video above, a sphinx moth gathers nectar from a Sierra tiger lily. Sphinx moths can be found through much of Yosemite dining on nectar. Since August wildflower blooms are mostly at the higher elevations, there’s a good chance you’ll see them there this month! What other examples of convergent evolution can you think of? Video description: A white-lined sphinx moth hovers in front of orange spotted flowers, bouncing from flower to flower, gathering nectar.

Let me introduce you all to the largest moth in North America, the Giant Sphinx of South Florida.🦋 For over a decade this elusive moth has been on my radar. I can recall flipping my reference books page by page as a kid in awe whenever the Giant Sphinx, Cocytius antaeus was mentioned. A moth with a mythical rep, but hardly any photos showing the size of its larval form. I found several adults drawn to blacklight while living in Costa Rica, but I had never gotten the opportunity to pursue this beast stateside... until now! The Giant Sphinxe's presence is legendary, I had heard collecting anecdotes from colleagues about how this moth was so massive that its chaotic arrival at a sheet causes an eruption of crazed activity. Other stories about how it dive-bombs lights, sends collectors scrambling at the sheet, and then vanishes into the sky like it was never there. One friend swears his father had to smack one with a wooden bat in mid air after chasing it around a gas station. Whether those stories are true or just fisherman's tales, with a wingspan like that, the caterpillar had to be an absolute monster, and I knew I just had to find it. Cocytius antaeus inhabits wet cypress swamps and wetland habitats across Central to South Florida, most commonly in the Everglades, spilling into the Keys and all surrounding Caribbean islands. In South Florida it hosts the native Pond Apple, Anonna glabra, in flooded forest hammocks, swamps, and flooded meadows. Pond Apple is a deciduous plant, but larvae and moths can be found all months of the year, peaking during summer. The bat sized moth has over a 30cm proboscis, making it one of the only species able to reach the nectar spur of the critically endangered Ghost Orchid. However, recent studies suggest the moths often rob the flower of its nectar, seldom aiding in pollination, but still a vital insect to the glades ecosystem nonetheless! I traveled to SoFlo earlier this summer with high hopes to see the Giant Sphinx. Very pleased to share after careful review of distribution of Pond Apple stands in the Everglades, feeding habits, and the determined company of @sophie.monki I was able to achieve this unbelievable find!

UPDATE! It has been 18 days since the mystery Sphinx moth caterpillar buried itself underground to pupate. It takes a few days to actually pupate, so I assume it has been in its pupal stage for about 2 weeks. This means —as long as it does not hibernate until dry season—it will emerge very soon, perhaps in less than one week! I’m SO excited!!

Look at this pokemon I spotted! Hyles lineata, aka the white-lined sphinx moth or hawk moth! These guys are incredible pollinators and often get mistaken for hummingbirds because of how fast they fly and hover (and their size, this is one the smaller ones I’ve seen). This one might be a boy, males tend to have less pink in their wings.💕 He was very polite and VERY adorable. ☺️ #hawkmonthand #hyleslineata #sphinxmoth #mothsoftiktok #pollinatorsnotpests #buglove #mothmagic #cutebugs #insectsofinstagram #notjustbutterflies

I sent another set of wings to @nicoleparishart (also @_soundoftheforest_ on IG). A normal adult Atlas moth measures ~9-10 inches in wingspan, while these giant wings measure in at 120” in wingspan! The atlas moth has a very unique defense— the top of the Atlas moth’s wings is shaped like a snake head, and when it feels threatened, it spreads its wings, revealing this distinct pattern. By mimicking the appearance of a snake, it can scare away predators, creating the illusion of a large intimidating creature. Nicole is an autistic insect artist, she posts mostly on her TikTok (SoundOfTheForest) and her website is www.nicoleparishart.org where you will find large snail and insect sculptures, insect paintings, art prints and more 🦋🐌🪲

Dumb ways to… Biggest living Moth. اكبر فراشة في العالم 👀😳 #fypシ #omydash #moth

No arguments - these amazing Cabbage Tree Emperor Moths are Aliens! 🤠🐛

Much to the excitement of all the staff here we had a very unusual patient in recently, this stunning Death-Head Hawk Moth. These moths are easily distinguishable by the vaguely human skull-shaped pattern of markings on the thorax, they are one of the largest moths to appear in Britain and are a striking species. It has the unusual habit of entering beehives in search of honey, and if handled, emits a loud squeak. You may recognise it as the moth made famous by the 1991 Silence of the lamb’s film. #rescuecentre #tiggywinkleswildlifehospital #wildlifehospital #britishnature #tiggywinkles #britishwildlife #moth #deathheadhawkmoth

white-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata) warming for fly away. #moth

@ms.chels : Ever since I raised moths, I have found a much deeper appreciation for caterpillars! While cutting some invasive buckthorn, I found a group of these Pandora Sphinx moth cats munching away on Virginia creeper vines. It’s so wild how their tails mimic the tendrils!? And those eye spots!?!? How are these caterpillars even real 😭🤯😍🤩 I feel like that’s my reaction to every bug I see… and talking to them in an uncontrollable baby voice as demonstrated in slide 4 😅 Eumorpha pandorus @ms.chels with the great tvideo and text!

Caterpillar update! I have lots of experience with rearing certain Sphinx moth species, but none of them ever started twitching like that, so I was extremely worried. I thought he might be parasitized or sick. I have failed the community… But nope! All good 😅 so excited to see what he turns into!! #entomology #mysterysphinx #caterpillars #rearingcaterpillars #lepidoptera #insects #insect #entomology

Wonders we find in our yard: white-lined sphynx moths. They mimic hummingbirds! . #newmexico #newmexicotrue #wonders #wondersofnature #moths