Caterpillars of Eastern Forests

Wild Cherry Sphinx (Sphinx drupiferarum)

Very attractive, yellow-green, smooth. Head with lateral purplish bands that nearly meet over vertex. Thoracic segments evenly green. Abdomen paler above spiracles with 7 oblique yellow or white stripes, edged anteriorly with purple, each limited to single segment. Horn red to purple, yellow at base. Food: especially cherry, plum, and apple species (Rosaceae); also reported from lilacs and hackberries. Caterpillar: June through August; 1 generation.

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