Home / Hawk Moths (Sphingidae) / Waved Sphinx Moth (Ceratomia undulosa)

Waved Sphinx Moth (Ceratomia undulosa)

It appears green, with a touch of red. Its body has yellow diagonal lines leading towards a yellowish or whitish horn on its eight abdominal segments. Though long and pointed, the horns are not poisonous. Each side is also marked with red spots.

Xanthopastis-timais

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Scientific Classification


  • Family: Sphingidae
  • Genus: Ceratomia
  • Scientific Name: C. undulosa

Description and Identification

Caterpillar

It appears green, with a touch of red. Its body has yellow diagonal lines leading towards a yellowish or whitish horn on its eight abdominal segments. Though long and pointed, the horns are not poisonous. Each side is also marked with red spots.

Waved Sphinx Moth Caterpillar

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Pupa

They pupate underground and overwinter.

Waved Sphinx Moth Pupa

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Adult Moth

Sexual Dimorphism: Present but not prominent.

Color and Appearance

These moths range from light yellowish-brown to being almost black. The thorax is brown and furry, ringed with black and white lines. The hair at the end of these rings is lighter and almost looks like eyes.

Forewing: When opened, they arepale brownish-gray, having wavy black and white lines running across it, alongside a white cell spot at the center outlined in black. When closed the wavy lines and patterns against the brownish background remains unchanged.

Hindwing: The hindwings are gray, with diffused dark bands and checkered black and white fringes when openedWhen closed, the pattern is similar.

Average wingspan: /strong>3-4.31 in (7.6 – 11 cm)

Flight pattern: March to October in the south; May to August in the north

Season: Not recorded.

Ceratomia undulosa

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Egg

These are pale green, medium in size, with an incubation period of about eight days.

Waved Sphinx Moth Eggs

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Quick Facts

Other NamesScorpion Moth
DistributionUnited States and southern Canada
HabitatBoth open areas and forests
PredatorsGuiana Striped Scorpion
Lifespan of AdultsNot recorded
Host PlantsHawthorn, ash, fringe trees, and privet oaks
Adult DietDoes not feed

Did you know

This moth was previously called the “Scorpion Moth”, on the misconception that it gave birth to its predator – the Guiana Striped Scorpion – due to the close proximity of the location of the two species.

Waved Sphinx Moth Image

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Waved Sphinx Moth Picture

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