# Elm Sphinx (*Ceratomia amyntor*) The Elm Sphinx is a special moth that loves to visit flowers at night. It has beautiful green and brown wings that help it blend in with leaves during the day. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Elm Sphinx](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ceratomia_amyntor_MHNT_CUT_2010_0_406_Chaffeys_Locks_Leeds_Co_Ontario%252C_male.jpg&width=800) Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ceratomia_amyntor_MHNT_CUT_2010_0_406_Chaffeys_Locks_Leeds_Co_Ontario%252C_male.jpg) ## Appearance The Elm Sphinx is a large, stout-bodied moth with narrow, pointed forewings typically mottled in shades of brown and gray. Its forewings display wavy dark lines and a small white spot, while the hindwings are plainer grayish-brown. An inconspicuous 'eye spot' pattern can sometimes be seen. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Sphingidae - **Genus:** Ceratomia ## Interesting facts - Adult Elm Sphinx moths do not eat, living off energy stored as a caterpillar. - Before becoming a moth, the caterpillar burrows underground to transform into a pupa. - Elm Sphinx caterpillars have a fake 'horn' on their tail, but it's completely harmless! - These moths are strong flyers and can travel surprising distances across their habitat. ## Special abilities - **Darting Flight:** The Elm Sphinx can fly incredibly fast because of its powerful wing muscles, which helps them evade predators. - **Twig Mimicry:** The Elm Sphinx caterpillar has a bumpy green body that helps them perfectly mimic twigs, camouflaging them from predators. - **Nectar Sipper:** The Elm Sphinx has a long, uncoiling proboscis that helps them sip nectar from deep flowers like a straw. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 75-115 mm - **Size:** 30-40 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 35 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding As caterpillars, they munch on tree leaves; as adults, they don't eat anything! - **Age differences:** Only the caterpillar stage eats, feeding on tree leaves. Adults do not feed at all. - **Primary Foods:** Ulmus species (Elm), Betula species (Birch), Tilia species (Basswood), Prunus species (Cherry) - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [American Elm](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-elm) (*Ulmus americana*) — Larvae feed on the leaves of this host tree. - **Eats:** [Paper Birch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/paper-birch) (*Betula papyrifera*) — Caterpillars munch on the leaves of this common tree. - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — Adult moths are often hunted by these nocturnal predators. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Both caterpillars and adult moths can become bird prey. - **Parasitizes:** Braconid Wasp (*Apanteles ceratomiae*) — Wasp larvae develop inside the Elm Sphinx caterpillar. ## Traits - [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. - [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. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [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 Don't touch moths or caterpillars, as some can be delicate or might not like being handled. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Elm 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 Elm Sphinx's wingspan? 75-115 mm ### How big is Elm Sphinx? 30-40 mm ### How long does Elm Sphinx live? 7-14 days ### How fast can Elm Sphinx fly? 35 km/h ### What does Elm Sphinx eat? As caterpillars, they munch on tree leaves; as adults, they don't eat anything! ### Where is Elm Sphinx usually found? Forests ### How does Elm Sphinx hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Brandon Road Lock and Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brandon-road-lock-and-dam) — Illinois, US · Historic Site - [Brookside Reservation](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brookside-reservation) — Ohio, US · Park - [Oak Ridge Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/oak-ridge-historic-district) — Tennessee, US · Historic District - [Parc Jean-Drapeau](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/parc-jean-drapeau) — Quebec, CA · Park - [Mays Island](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mays-island) — Iowa, US · Natural Landmark - [Monmouth Battlefield State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monmouth-battlefield-state-park) — New Jersey, US · State Park [View all places to see Elm Sphinx](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/elm-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: [Elm Sphinx: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/elm-sphinx)