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Western Eyed Sphinx

Smerinthus ophthalmica

The Western Eyed Sphinx is a beautiful moth with big, eye-like spots on its wings. These spots help scare away predators! It loves to fly around at night and is often found near flowers.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Western Eyed Sphinx is a large moth with a fuzzy, thick body and narrow forewings that are typically mottled grey or brown. Its most striking feature are the bright pink hindwings, each bearing a large, blue-ringed black 'eyespots' that resemble an owl's eyes.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilySphingidaeGenusSmerinthus
Western Eyed Sphinx
spotted trait badgecolorful trait badgeherbivorous trait badgepollinator_magnet trait badge
Western Eyed Sphinx

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Adult moths cannot eat solid food; they drink flower nectar through a straw-like tongue!

Its scientific name, *ophthalmica*, means 'eye-like,' referring to its amazing wing spots!

Some people call them 'hummingbird moths' because they hover like birds while feeding!

The caterpillar has a horn-like tail on its rear, but it's completely harmless to touch!

Special abilities

Ability

Eye-spot Surprise

Western Eyed Sphinx can flash its bright hindwing eyespots to startle predators, making them think it's a much larger animal.

Ability

Stealthy Camouflage

This moth has patterned forewings that perfectly blend with tree bark, helping it hide from predators during the day.

Ability

Powerful Flight

Western Eyed Sphinx has strong wing muscles allowing it to hover like a hummingbird while drinking nectar from flowers.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
70-90 mm
Size
35-50 mm
Lifespan
7-14 days
Flight Speed
25-45 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults drink flower nectar, while caterpillars munch on leaves from various trees and shrubs.

Age differences: Larvae eat leaves; adults exclusively drink nectar from flowers.

Primary Foods

  • willow leaves
  • poplar leaves
  • honeysuckle nectar
  • evening primrose nectar

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

pollinates

Bearberry Honeysuckle

Lonicera involucrata

Feeds on nectar from its trumpet-shaped flowers.

eats

Scouler's Willow

Salix scouleriana

Its caterpillars feed on the leaves of this tree.

eaten by

Little Brown Bat

Myotis lucifugus

Adult moths are hunted by bats during their nighttime flights.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Don't touch moths, as they can be delicate and may fly away quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Western Eyed Sphinx's wingspan?

70-90 mm

How big is Western Eyed Sphinx?

35-50 mm

How long does Western Eyed Sphinx live?

7-14 days

How fast can Western Eyed Sphinx fly?

25-45 km/h

What does Western Eyed Sphinx eat?

Adults drink flower nectar, while caterpillars munch on leaves from various trees and shrubs.

Where is Western Eyed Sphinx usually found?

Forests

How does Western Eyed Sphinx hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Western Eyed Sphinx have?

6

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Where to spot

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