# Waved Sphinx (*Ceratomia undulosa*) The Waved Sphinx is a special moth that looks like a tiny dragon! It has beautiful wavy patterns on its wings and loves to fly around flowers at night. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 12 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Waved Sphinx](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ceratomia_undulosa_MHNT_CUT_2010_0_323_Baltimore_County%252C_Maryland%252C_female.jpg&width=800) Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ceratomia_undulosa_MHNT_CUT_2010_0_323_Baltimore_County%252C_Maryland%252C_female.jpg) ## Appearance The Waved Sphinx is a large, gray moth with intricate wavy black lines across its forewings, perfectly mimicking tree bark. Its robust body is also gray, contrasting with plain gray hindwings. This excellent camouflage helps it blend seamlessly into its environment. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Sphingidae - **Genus:** Ceratomia ## Interesting facts - Adult Waved Sphinx moths never eat solid food! - Its large green caterpillar has a unique pointy horn on its rear! - The caterpillar burrows underground to transform into a moth! - This amazing moth can even fly backwards, just like a hummingbird! ## Special abilities - **Bark Blending:** Waved Sphinx can disappear against tree bark because its wavy gray patterns perfectly mimic tree textures, helping it hide from predators. - **Nectar Nuzzle:** Waved Sphinx has a long, coiled proboscis that helps it reach sweet nectar deep inside flowers while hovering like a tiny helicopter. - **Night Navigator:** Waved Sphinx can find flowers and mates in the dark using its keen sense of smell and large eyes, allowing it to be active at night. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 80-120 mm - **Size:** 30-45 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 35 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch on tree leaves; adult moths sip sweet flower nectar. - **Age differences:** Caterpillars eat tree and shrub leaves, while adult moths only drink flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Ash leaves, Lilac leaves, Privet leaves, Flower nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [White Ash](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-ash) (*Fraxinus americana*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves. - **Eats:** [Common Lilac](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-lilac) (*Syringa vulgaris*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves. - **Parasitizes:** Parasitic Wasp (*Cotesia congregata*) — Wasps lay eggs on caterpillars. - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — Bats hunt adult moths at night. ## 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. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [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. - [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 Moths are usually harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Waved 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 Waved Sphinx's wingspan? 80-120 mm ### How big is Waved Sphinx? 30-45 mm ### How long does Waved Sphinx live? 7-14 days ### How fast can Waved Sphinx fly? 35 km/h ### What does Waved Sphinx eat? Caterpillars munch on tree leaves; adult moths sip sweet flower nectar. ### Where is Waved Sphinx usually found? Urban areas ### How does Waved Sphinx hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Grundy Lake Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grundy-lake-provincial-park) — Ontario, CA · State Park - [Lock and Dam No. 19](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lock-and-dam-no-19) — Illinois, US · Historic Site - [Oak Ridge Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/oak-ridge-historic-district) — Tennessee, US · Historic District - [Pennyrile State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pennyrile-state-forest) — Kentucky, US · Forest - [The State Botanical Garden of Georgia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/the-state-botanical-garden-of-georgia) — Georgia, US · Botanical Garden - [Cairo Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cairo-historic-district) — Illinois, US · Historic District [View all places to see Waved Sphinx](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/waved-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: [Waved Sphinx: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/waved-sphinx)