#blinded sphinx

@xxnailbatzxx submitted: Moth of some kind (not sure exactly)  found in western WA (US) 

Bug of the Day

Came in for a rough landing.

Today's animal of the day is the Blinded Sphinx Moth (Paonias excaecatus)!

Photo credit: John Flannery

The blinded sphinx is a species of moth that can be found throughout the United States, as well as in parts of Canada. Like many species of moths and butterflies, the blinded sphinx has special markings on its wings, called eyespots, because they look like eyes, and by suddenly opening their wings, they are able to create the illusion of a larger animal opening its eyes, which can help scare off potential predators.

Photo credit: Susan Elliott

However, the eyespots of the blinded sphinx are a solid blue color and lack the little black dots that resemble pupils, which most other species of sphinx moths have. Their wings also resemble dead leaves, which helps these nocturnal insects avoid detection from predators during the day while they are sleeping.

Photo credit: Emily Willoughby

As caterpillars, they feed primarily on the leaves of deciduous trees such as birch, cherry, and willow trees. However, they will also feed on the leaves of shrubs and bushes, such as ninebarks and roses. Once the caterpillar has eaten enough food, it will burrow into the ground in order to pupate.

Photo credit: Rebecca McCluskey

Once they've completed their metamorphosis, they will emerge from the ground as adult moths and immediately begin to look for a mate. This is because adult blinded sphinxes lack mouths, which is common amongst moths, and so they need to find a mate and breed before the energy that they stored up as caterpillars runs out.

Photo credit: @deadstarling21

Blinded Sphinx

Paonias excaecatus

From the sphingidae family. They have a wingspan of 60-85 mm. They tend to inhabit deciduous woods, other wooded habitats, and suburbs. It can be found in North America.

These four. ^^ The top two and the bottom left one I all found at home. I think I may know what the bottom left one is, as I found the caterpillar and hatched it myself. But I just wanted to be extra sure. (Right after I took that picture it flew off in our house. I managed to catch it and released it outside after Lol) And the bottom right one I found on a road trip a year or two ago, in Sioux Falls in September. It stuck out so much in the green grass. 😂 First thought it was like an ablino woolly bear or something. So I thought I would ask about it. The bottom three below this are just extra. I took them in butterfly houses and wanted to show you them too. ^^ Tysm. 💜

Hello! Thank you for letting me know your home location via IM.

Your friends here are a blinded sphinx moth, a Chinese mantis, a small/cabbage white butterfly (Pieris rapae), and a Virginian tiger moth caterpillar.