# Carolina Sphinx (*Manduca sexta*) The Carolina Sphinx is a big, colorful caterpillar that turns into a beautiful moth. It loves to munch on plants and is often found in gardens and fields. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 10 - **Habitat:** Gardens - **Also known as:** Hawk Moth, Sphinx Moth ![Carolina Sphinx](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Manduca_sexta_MHNT_CUT_2010_0_104_Caranavi%252C_La_Paz_Bolivia_male.jpg&width=800) Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Manduca_sexta_MHNT_CUT_2010_0_104_Caranavi%252C_La_Paz_Bolivia_male.jpg) ## Appearance The Carolina Sphinx is a large, sturdy moth with a torpedo-shaped body. Its forewings are mottled grey and brown, while the smaller hindwings have distinct black and white bands. A key visual identifier is the row of five bright orange-yellow and black spots along each side of its abdomen. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Sphingidae - **Genus:** Manduca ## Interesting facts - Its caterpillar form, called a 'hornworm,' is a major pest for tobacco and tomato plants! - Its eyes glow reddish-orange at night when a light shines on them! - The pupa stage happens underground, where it sleeps for weeks or months. - These moths are amazing long-distance flyers, sometimes migrating hundreds of kilometers. ## Special abilities - **Hummingbird Hover:** The Carolina Sphinx can hover perfectly still while feeding because of its powerful wings that allow precise flight control. - **Nectar Siphoner:** Carolina Sphinx has an incredibly long proboscis, a straw-like mouthpart, that helps them reach nectar deep inside tubular flowers. - **Color Chameleon (Larva):** Its caterpillar form can change its skin color from green to reddish-brown, helping it perfectly blend with its host plants. - **Night Navigator:** The Carolina Sphinx can locate flowers in low light because it possesses excellent night vision and a keen sense of smell. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 90-120 mm - **Size:** 50-60 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 50 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults drink flower nectar; caterpillars munch on leaves. - **Age differences:** Larvae are voracious leaf-eaters, while adult moths exclusively feed on flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Tobacco leaves, Tomato leaves, Potato leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Tobacco Plant (*Nicotiana tabacum*) — Larvae eat leaves of this plant. - **Eats:** Tomato Plant (*Solanum lycopersicum*) — Larvae are a common pest here. - **Parasitizes:** Braconid Wasp (*Cotesia congregata*) — Wasps lay eggs on its caterpillar. - **Pollinates:** Flowering Tobacco (*Nicotiana alata*) — Moths drink nectar and spread pollen. ## Traits - [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. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [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 Don't touch insects without asking an adult, as some can be delicate or might bite. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Carolina Sphinx? 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 Carolina Sphinx's wingspan? 90-120 mm ### How big is Carolina Sphinx? 50-60 mm ### How long does Carolina Sphinx live? 7-14 days ### How fast can Carolina Sphinx fly? 50 km/h ### What does Carolina Sphinx eat? Adults drink flower nectar; caterpillars munch on leaves. ### Where is Carolina Sphinx usually found? Gardens ### How does Carolina Sphinx hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Central Shelby Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/central-shelby-historic-district) — North Carolina, US · Historic District - [Ruth Bancroft Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ruth-bancroft-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Hogle Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hogle-zoo) — Utah, US · Zoo - [Sacramento Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sacramento-zoo) — California, US · Zoo - [Blair Academy](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blair-academy) — New Jersey, US · Campus - [California State Capitol Museum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/california-state-capitol-museum) — California, US · Museum [View all places to see Carolina Sphinx](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/carolina-sphinx) ## 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: [Carolina Sphinx: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/carolina-sphinx)