Blinded Sphinx

A fairly common widespread species; no concerns.

Adults have been collected in Alberta from early June through mid-July.

Nova Scotia west to Vancouver Island, south to California, Arizona, New Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico. In Alberta, it has been collected in the Aspen Parklands, southern Boreal Forest, and in the wooded parts of the valleys in the Grasslands region.

A large (5.5-9.5 cm wingspan) moth that has elongated forewings with irregular scalloped outer margins. The forewings and body are several shades of rich brown. Hindwings are mostly pink, with a prominent blue eyespot surrounded by black. Both sexes are similar in appearance. The similar Alberta sphinx with pink hindwings have grey and not brown forewings.

Open woodland and woodland edges, clearings, shrub areas, gardens, etc.

The Blinded sphinx is nocturnal and comes to light. The larvae are solitary defoliators, and there is a single brood each year. They overwinter as pupae.

No Alberta data; elsewhere reported to utilize a wide variety of trees and shrubs including Hawthorn (Craetagus), Saskatoon (Amelanchier), cultivated plums and cherries (Prunus), White birch (Betula payrifera), elm (Ulmus), bassswood (Tilia), and willow (Salix).