The genus Ceratomia has 6 species in the USA, and 7 around the world. This is a New-World genus, found only in the Americas.
Type specimen: Ceratomia quadricornis (amyntor) - Harris, 1839
Synonyms: N/A
General Information: These are medium sized moths. Most have brown or gray mottled forewings and there are usually assorted spots (discal) and other markings.
If you have narrowed something down to this genus, you can use this key to help you narrow down your search to species:
1: Forewing brown with cream in the costal area. There is a prominent white discal spot. The subterminal area is often a very dark brown-black color… Ceratomia amyntor
1’: Not as above (2)
2: Forewing brown (3)
2’: Forewing distinctly gray (4)
3: Forewing brown, often not well marked at all. There is a small discal spot, but it is usually gray/cream, or not noticeable… Ceratomia catalpa
3’: Forewing gray-brown, often with various green markings. The apex of the forewing is often very light. There is a small white discal spot… Ceratomia hageni
4: Forewing gray, the discal region is usually void of any markings except perhaps a small white spot and is often lighter in color than the rest of the wing. The discal area is surrounded by two curved black lines. A rare stray in Texas… Ceratomia igualana
4’: Not as above (5)
5: Forewing gray, well-marked with a large prominent white discal spot. The forewings are not smooth in appearance. There are often 2-3 forewing dashes… Ceratomia undulosa
5’: Forewings are smooth ash gray with 2 prominent black lines. There is a small white discal spot. The remainder of the wing may have some black and brown markings… Ceratomia sonorensis
Species List:
Ceratomia amyntor
Ceratomia undulosa
Ceratomia sonoresis
Ceratomia catalpae
Ceratomia hageni
Ceratomia igualana
The gallery below shows photos of select species in the genus.
Type specimen: Ceratomia quadricornis (amyntor) - Harris, 1839
Synonyms: N/A
General Information: These are medium sized moths. Most have brown or gray mottled forewings and there are usually assorted spots (discal) and other markings.
If you have narrowed something down to this genus, you can use this key to help you narrow down your search to species:
1: Forewing brown with cream in the costal area. There is a prominent white discal spot. The subterminal area is often a very dark brown-black color… Ceratomia amyntor
1’: Not as above (2)
2: Forewing brown (3)
2’: Forewing distinctly gray (4)
3: Forewing brown, often not well marked at all. There is a small discal spot, but it is usually gray/cream, or not noticeable… Ceratomia catalpa
3’: Forewing gray-brown, often with various green markings. The apex of the forewing is often very light. There is a small white discal spot… Ceratomia hageni
4: Forewing gray, the discal region is usually void of any markings except perhaps a small white spot and is often lighter in color than the rest of the wing. The discal area is surrounded by two curved black lines. A rare stray in Texas… Ceratomia igualana
4’: Not as above (5)
5: Forewing gray, well-marked with a large prominent white discal spot. The forewings are not smooth in appearance. There are often 2-3 forewing dashes… Ceratomia undulosa
5’: Forewings are smooth ash gray with 2 prominent black lines. There is a small white discal spot. The remainder of the wing may have some black and brown markings… Ceratomia sonorensis
Species List:
Ceratomia amyntor
Ceratomia undulosa
Ceratomia sonoresis
Ceratomia catalpae
Ceratomia hageni
Ceratomia igualana
The gallery below shows photos of select species in the genus.
