White-lined Sphinx
ExploreInsects
White-lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
The White-lined Sphinx is a colorful moth that looks like a hummingbird when it flies! It has beautiful stripes and loves to sip nectar from flowers during the day.
Habitat: Gardens and meadows
Appearance
The White-lined Sphinx has an olive-brown body and forewings marked with a striking white stripe and prominent veins. Its hindwings are a vibrant pinkish-red, bordered in black. This distinct coloration makes it easy to identify even during its fast, hovering flight.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilySphingidaeGenusHyles
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
If threatened, the caterpillar can squirt green liquid to surprise predators!
Its fuzzy body and rapid wing beats make a humming sound you can actually hear!
Massive caterpillar outbreaks can strip plants bare, marching together to find more food!
These moths can travel hundreds of miles, flying south for winter like birds!
Special abilities
Ability
Nectar Hoverer
White-lined Sphinx can hover perfectly still in mid-air because of powerful wing beats, helping them drink nectar while flying.
Ability
Deep Reach Feeder
White-lined Sphinx has an extra-long proboscis that helps them reach sweet nectar deep inside tubular flowers.
Ability
Speed Demon Flyer
White-lined Sphinx can fly at incredible speeds, helping them evade predators and cover vast distances quickly.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 70-90 mm
- Size
- 25-35 mm
- Lifespan
- 7-30 days
- Flight Speed
- 30 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adults sip sweet flower nectar; caterpillars munch on plant leaves.
Age differences: Caterpillars eat plant leaves, but adults drink only flower nectar.
Primary Foods
- flower nectar
- purslane leaves
- grape leaves
- tomato plants
- willow weed
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
pollinates
Desert Four O'Clock
Mirabilis multiflora
Carries pollen between its deep, tubular flowers.
eaten by
Little Brown Bat
Myotis lucifugus
Hunted by this bat during its nighttime flights.
eats
Common Purslane
Portulaca oleracea
Caterpillars feed on the leaves of this common plant.
eaten by
European Mantis
Mantis religiosa
A predator of both adult moths and caterpillars.
Traits
Striped
Marked with parallel bands or lines of color.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Aerial
Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Migratory
Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Hummingbird Moth
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Don't touch moths or insects you find outside; just watch them from a distance!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is White-lined Sphinx's wingspan?
70-90 mm
How big is White-lined Sphinx?
25-35 mm
How long does White-lined Sphinx live?
7-30 days
How fast can White-lined Sphinx fly?
30 km/h
What does White-lined Sphinx eat?
Adults sip sweet flower nectar; caterpillars munch on plant leaves.
Where is White-lined Sphinx usually found?
Gardens and meadows
How does White-lined Sphinx hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does White-lined Sphinx have?
6
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