# 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! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Apple Sphinxes](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Sphinx_gordius_MHNT_CUT_2010_0_253_Minden_Nevada_female.jpg&width=800) Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sphinx_gordius_MHNT_CUT_2010_0_253_Minden_Nevada_female.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Sphingidae - **Genus:** Sphinx ## 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 - **Stealthy Leaf Mimicry:** Apple Sphinxes can change caterpillar skin color to perfectly match leaves, helping them hide from hungry birds. - **Hovering Nectar Sipper:** Apple Sphinxes can hover in mid-air like a hummingbird because of their powerful wings, letting them drink nectar from flowers. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-lilac) (*Syringa vulgaris*) — Adult moths sip nectar, helping its flowers. - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't touch caterpillars, as some can be delicate. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Apple Sphinxes? Compare resting wing shape, forewing markings, antennae and body build. Small brown moths can hinge on fine details a phone photo can't always catch. Moth Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Bear's Den](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bears-den) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [New Salem Common Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/new-salem-common-historic-district) — Massachusetts, US · Historic District ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Apple Sphinxes: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/apple-sphinxes)