Macromoths of Northwest Forests and Woodlands

Paonias excaecatus [Sphingidae]

Wingspan 7.8 cm. Forewing is pale to dark brown with the outer margin scalloped; hindwing is rose-red with a round black anal spot having a solid blue pupil. This sphingid is common and widely distributed in dry forests west of the Cascade Mountains and in riparian forests east of the Cascades. Moths fly in late spring to midsummer. Caterpillars feed on the foliage of flowering trees and shrubs, such as, hawthorn (Crataegus), birch (Betula), poplar (Populus), and serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia).

Similar species: Paonias myops forewing lacks the scalloped wing margin, hindwing is yellow; species of Smerinthus hindwing with a blue ring on the black anal spot; species of Pachysphinx hindwing with a black anal bar.

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