Eumorpha achemon

Common Name(s): Achemon Sphinx

Ecology:
Like many Vitaceae feeding moths, this is not a moth found in dense woodland. Many caterpillars of this species have been found by searching Grape and Virginia Creeper vines growing over fences in suburban neighborhoods. Adults have also been encountered laying eggs on sprawling grape vines on dunes. Much like others in this genus, adult moths can be observed taking nectar from flowers at dusk.

Adult description:
This is the smallest moth in the genus in North America (42-49mm1). The base color of the body and forewings is brown with a black basal rectangular area. Large dark brown triangles on the sides of the thorax. The hindwings of this species are a salmony pink.

Larval description:
L1: First instar larvae are small green hornworms with an extraordinarily long red horn and somewhat oversized head.

L3: At this stage, the larvae look quite different. The long straight horn now curves and looks strikingly similar to a Parthenocissus quinquefolia tendril. The larvae are green or red in color, with a white horizontal line down the length of their body. A series of diagonal lines bisect the spiracles on each abdominal segment.

L4: The larva now loses the horn entirely, replacing it with a small hard eyespot like mark. The area can sometimes appear raised. The larva can rear its body up, and contract it’s thoracic segments back into the swollen A1 segment to give it a more menacing appearance. The larvae are red or green in color. There are several eyespots connected together that can sometimes resembles lines bisecting the spiracles on each abdominal segment.

L5: Superficially resembling the larvae of E. pandorus, the easiest way to distinguish larvae is by looking at the eyespots on each of the abdominal segments. If the eye spot is large and distinctive, you have E. pandorus. If the eye spots are more like a streak, or resembling three smaller circles placed together, you have E. achemon. The larvae of this species don’t have quite as many color morphs, usually only a green, a dark red, and light red forms.

Host plants:

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L5 (C) Teá Kesting-Handly

The gallery to the left contains photos of Eumorpha achemon adults. If you have a photo that you would like to submit to us, please contact us.

The gallery to the right contains photos of Eumorpha achemon larval and pupal stages. If you have a photo that you would like to submit to us, please contact us.