Deidamia inscriptum

Common Name(s): Lettered Sphinx

Ecology:

Adult description:
This is a small sphingid, with forewings 22-25mm in length (1). Often one of the earliest flying species, with records from the Northeastern US in late March or April. The forewings are brown, and are deeply serrated. There is usually a black line that cuts the wing in half that curves upward from the anal angle of the forewing to the costa. The apex of the wing is usually lighter than the rest of the wing. The hindwings are very plain and brown.

Larval description:
L5: The ground color of the larva is green with yellow patterning on the sides. The green is lighter on the sides below the yellow markings and darker on the dorsal surface. The larva has a distinctly yellow horn with a black tip, yellow thoracic legs, and black spiracles. Because the adult moth flies so early in the season, most caterpillars have pupated by late June in the Northeast and likely earlier farther South.

Host plants:

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L5 - (C) Marcie O'Connor

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