Insect · GBIF taxon 1861887
Waved Sphinx
Ceratomia undulosaAlso known as Scorpion Moth
Resting flat against tree bark with intricate grey and wavy charcoal camouflage, the waved sphinx blends seamlessly into deciduous woodlands across eastern North America. Stout green larvae feed quietly in the canopies of ash trees before burrowing underground to pupate within subterranean chambers beneath leaf litter. Adult moths emerge with reduced mouthparts and do not feed, devoting their brief adult flight entirely to finding mates and depositing eggs under host leaves.
NocturnalCamouflageForestry
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Ash foliage
- Fringetree leaves
- Privet leaves
Predators
- Bats
- Insectivorous birds
- Parasitoid wasps
ThreatsDecline of ash trees from emerald ash borer, artificial light disruption, and pesticide drift
HabitatsDeciduous forests, river valleys, suburban parks, and wooded gardens
Life spanAdults live 1–2 weeks; entire life cycle spans about 1 year
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilySphingidae
- GenusCeratomia
- SpeciesCeratomia undulosa
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Attracting to Light: Hang a white sheet with an ultraviolet or porch light to observe them up close without handling.
- Gentle Inspection: If found resting on walls during the day, photograph from a short distance to avoid prompting defensive wing flutters.
- Host Searching: Check the undersides of ash and privet foliage in midsummer to spot the distinctive horned green caterpillars.
Host Plant Willow / CC BY 2.5 · cc-by
Predator (c) Fyn Kynd, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Kevin Ripka, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Michael Ellis, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael Ellis · cc-by
Keep collecting in Fauna
Found in Collections
Species set
Moonlight Marvels
Waved Sphinx is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
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