Twin Spotted Sphinx Moth (Smerinthus jamaicensis)

Caterpillar

The larva has a granulose physical structure, with a pale yellow or bluish-green body marked red or cream. Its head is triangular and light-green, with a cream-colored band along its vertex. A thin caudal horn is present, extending straight beyond the posterior end of its body, blue or black. The underside tends to be blue or black, with a faint subdorsal line seen under the thorax.

Pupa

Once fully mature, they begin to pupate.

Adult Moth

Sexual Dimorphism: Present.

Color and Appearance:

Males-

Forewing: When the wings are opened, they are gray with black and white markings. When closed, the pattern becomes less prominent.

Hindwing: When opened and closed, they are red with a pale yellow border. A blue patch may be present at times, either as a single eyespot or separated by black bands to form two or even three eyespots.

Females-

Forewing: When the wings are opened, they are yellowish-brown with white and dark brown markings. When closed, the colors are still visible but less clearly.

Hindwing: When opened and closed, their hindwings are similar to the males, red, bordered in pale yellow, with a bluish eyespot on both sides.

Average Wingspan: 4.5–8.3 cm

Flight Pattern: Not recorded

Season: June to August in the north; April to October in the south