# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Western Eyed Sphinx](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Smerinthus_ophthalmica_MHNT_CUT_2010_0_493_Berkeley_%28La_Loma%29_California_USA_male.jpg&width=800) Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Smerinthus_ophthalmica_MHNT_CUT_2010_0_493_Berkeley_%28La_Loma%29_California_USA_male.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Sphingidae - **Genus:** Smerinthus ## 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 - **Eye-spot Surprise:** Western Eyed Sphinx can flash its bright hindwing eyespots to startle predators, making them think it's a much larger animal. - **Stealthy Camouflage:** This moth has patterned forewings that perfectly blend with tree bark, helping it hide from predators during the day. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — Adult moths are hunted by bats during their nighttime flights. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [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, as they can be delicate and may fly away quickly. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Western Eyed 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 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 ## Where to spot - [Grand Coulee](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grand-coulee) — Washington, US · Natural Landmark - [Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kentucky-alleyne-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park ## 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: [Western Eyed Sphinx: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-eyed-sphinx)