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Species Page - Ceratomia undulosa |
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 search results ->Ceratomia undulosa ->species page |
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| scientific name Ceratomia undulosa (Wlk.) common name Waved Sphinx habitat Tree plantations (farmyards and shelterbelts), urban areas and riparian woodlands. seasonality Adults are on the wing late May through June. identification A large (7.5-11.0 cm. wingspan) long-winged grey moth with several black streaks and numerous darker wavy lines crossing the wings. The fine, somewhat diffuse wavy lines crossing the forewing in particular, combined with the large size and the dark and white markings on the thorax, are all diagnostic for undulosa in Alberta. The fringe of both wings is checkered black and white. The other large grey sphinx moths of Alberta have either a streaked as opposed to waved forewing (Sphinx chersis and S. vashti), or are mostly very dark grey or black (Sphinx drupiferarum and S. poecila). Royal Alberta Museum page life history The Waved sphinx is a nocturnal species which comes to light. Larvae can be found from mid-June to fall, and they overwinter in the soil as pupae. The Waved Sphinx tends to use mainly non-native tree species as hosts, and is thus most abundant where these have been planted such as cities or farmyards. They are most common in southern Alberta, but can be rather common some years in Edmonton. Their occurrence in Alberta may be a rather recent phenomena, as Ken Bowman, who resided in Edmonton and collected widely in Alberta until the early 1950's found it only in the Lloydminster area. conservation No concerns. diet info In Alberta, Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica). Elsewhere also other species of ash, Lilac (Syringa sp.), Hawthorn (Crataegus), oak (Quercus) and others. Green ash appears to be a favored host, at least in Canada. range Widespread in North America east of the mountains. It is found throughout much of southern Alberta from about Edmonton south, east of the mountains. quick link http://www.entomology.ualberta.ca/searching_species_details.php?s=518
Comments (2)Add New Comment
Rich Johnson (2009-09-26)
I live in Phoenix, AZ and have a Butterfly Bush that is absolutely riddled with the caterpillar. Is there cause for concern. Nobody that has seen them can say that they have ever seen them here before.
gary anweiler (2009-09-27)
Hi Rich
It appears highly unlikely that the caterpillars on your butterfly bush are this species, as it is an eastern species not known to occur in AZ. Furthermore it feeds mainly on woody trees such as Ash and Lilac. What you may have is larvae of a related species, the White-lined Sphinx, which can and does occur in large outbreaks in the SW, but the larvae look quite different. Sorry I cannot be of more help !!. Gary Anweiler Comments are published according to our submission guidelines. The EH Strickland Entomological Museum does not necessarily endorse the views expressed. |
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