Caterpillars of Eastern Forests

Laurel Sphinx (Sphinx kalmiae)

Stunning, yellow-green with smooth body. Head with dark bands, edged with yellow, well separate at top of head. Thoracic segments evenly green. Abdomen sometimes paler above spiracles, with 7 oblique white stripes edged with black anteriorly and yellow posteriorly, each limited to single segment. Prolegs each with black crescent above base. Horn black with blue mottling. Food: laurels, ashes, lilacs, privets; also reported from poplars. Caterpillar: June through August; 2 generations in South, 1 in North.

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