Eumorpha labruscae

ommon Name(s): Gaudy Sphinx

Ecology: This is arguably the most gorgeous of the Eumorpha in the US. With its bright green forewings, and bright hindwings, it’s no wonder it’s common name is Gaudy. This species is found throughout Central and South America, and only in Southeastern Texas and South Florida in the USA. This moth has been known to fly long distances, and often ends up in odd places. There are quite a few northern US records because of this tendency. This species can be found in many habitats throughout its range. The hostplants for this species include various things in the Vitaceae and at least one species in the Onagraceae. Species of sphingid with larvae they tend to like vitaceae are often denizens of urban/suburban habitats, this moth included. Many reports from Florida are of this moth necaring in gardens, or people finding larvae on their grapes or ornamental Cissus. They are also often encountered in forests and more rural areas.

Adult description: A large and extremely distinctive sphingid, with 52-58mm FW length (2). The forewings are green with a darker green triangular area in the center of each wing. There are often two brownish marks on the distal edge of darker green triangular area. The hindwings of this species are gorgeous, blue and black with a red streak. The blue and black seem to form complex eyespots, whereas the red highlights the eye a bit. The entire hindwing is bordered with a gorgeous yellow.

Larval description:
L3: The larva looks very unusual in this stage. The swollen thoracic segments have 2 eyespots on them. When provoked, the larva will flatten these segments slightly to resemble a snake. There is a small spindly, curved anal horn and green eyespots on most of the abdominal segments surrounding the spiracle.

L4: A bit larger now, the larvae still has the swollen thoracic segments with more distinctive eyespots. The horn is now much smaller now and sticks straight out. The large green splotches around the spiracles are larger and more defined in this instar.

L5: One of the most exotic looking Eumorpha species in the US. The larva is brown and mottled, with light brown streaks on the side. The first few swollen abdominal segments have large eyespots on them and the overall appearance of this larva resembles a Bothrops viper species. Like others in this genus, the larva lacks an anal horn in the final instar.

Host plants:

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