Sphinx Moths

Sphinx moths are extra special and have some tricky surprises.

Late summer and early fall are good times to scout them out in your neighborhood. Many are big, so they’re easy to see. And some are busy even during the daytime—and so are their caterpillars.  

Some Tips:

• When you see what looks like a big bumblebee fluttering around a flower, take a closer look. (It may be a moth.)
• Tune in to body shape. (Look for a long fuzzy body that’s pointy at both ends, and narrow pointy wings.)
• Focus on flowers with long tubes (which sphinx moths stick their long tongues into)
• Look for caterpillars that rear up their fronts or have a “horn” on their rears.
• Check tomato plants for a fat green caterpillar, maybe covered with white wasp cocoons.