Apple Sphinxes
ExploreInsects
Apple Sphinxes
Sphinx gordius
Apple Sphinxes are fun caterpillars that look like little green snakes! They love to munch on apple leaves and can turn into beautiful moths. Watch out for their cool camouflage!
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Apple Sphinxes has sturdy, grey-brown forewings often marked with a dark central streak and white spots. Its hindwings show striking pinkish-red bands against a dark background. This large moth has a thick, furry grey body, making it quite robust.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilySphingidaeGenusSphinx
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Adult moths are nocturnal flyers, often traveling far at night.
Apple Sphinx caterpillars eat leaves and grow super fast!
Its caterpillar can rear up, looking like a tiny sphinx statue!
They have a very long 'tongue' to sip nectar from deep flowers!
Special abilities
Ability
Stealthy Leaf Mimicry
Apple Sphinxes can change caterpillar skin color to perfectly match leaves, helping them hide from hungry birds.
Ability
Hovering Nectar Sipper
Apple Sphinxes can hover in mid-air like a hummingbird because of their powerful wings, letting them drink nectar from flowers.
Ability
Fake Snake Defense
Apple Sphinxes has a horn-like 'tail' as a caterpillar that can trick predators into thinking it's a snake, helping it stay safe.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 70-100 mm
- Size
- 40-50 mm
- Lifespan
- 7-14 days
- Flight Speed
- 40 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adult moths sip sweet flower nectar.
Age differences: Caterpillars are leaf-eaters, while adult moths exclusively drink nectar from flowers.
Primary Foods
- Malus domestica
- Prunus serotina
- Pyrus communis
- Syringa vulgaris
- Lonicera
- Petunia
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
Apple Tree
Malus domestica
Caterpillars feed on its leaves.
eats
Wild Cherry
Prunus serotina
Its leaves are a favorite food for young caterpillars.
pollinates
Common Lilac
Syringa vulgaris
Adult moths sip nectar, helping its flowers.
eaten by
Little Brown Bat
Myotis lucifugus
These nocturnal hunters prey on adult moths.
parasitizes
Tobacco Hornworm Wasp
Cotesia congregata
Larvae develop inside Apple Sphinx caterpillars.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch caterpillars, as some can be delicate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Apple Sphinxes's wingspan?
70-100 mm
How big is Apple Sphinxes?
40-50 mm
How long does Apple Sphinxes live?
7-14 days
How fast can Apple Sphinxes fly?
40 km/h
What does Apple Sphinxes eat?
Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adult moths sip sweet flower nectar.
Where is Apple Sphinxes usually found?
Forests
How does Apple Sphinxes hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Apple Sphinxes have?
6
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
