#sphinx moths

[snototter]

A privet hawk-moth (Sphinx ligustri) rests on a tree in Hertfordshire, UK

by Will Atkins

[razehider]

not the kind of thing i was expecting to find on my "it's 7pm, i think i can go outside without the sun cooking me to death" walk, this sleepy striped hawkmoth (Hyles livornica) was not budging no matter how close i got. unfortunately neither was the gorse, so there was still a barrier of sorts between us

the face of a very passed out rodent insect bird thing

(July 14th, 2025)

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

Most caterpillars don't make noise, which is why potential predators get the surprise of their lives when they go after walnut sphinx moths! The caterpillars of this species produce a high-pitched whistle by expelling air from special openings called spiracles on their abdomen. The sound, combined with thrashing and biting, startles would-be predators into leaving the caterpillar alone.

(Image: A walnut sphinx moth caterpillar (Amorpha juglandis) by Kyran Leeker)

[antiqueanimals]

Acherontia sp. The Entomologist's Text Book. Written and illustrated by John Obadiah Westwood. 1838.

Internet Archive

[artifacts-and-arthropods]

Snake-Mimicking Sphinx Moth: the caterpillars of this species are able to mimic snakes by hanging upside-down, inflating the area around their heads, and exposing their false eyespots

Hemeroplanes triptolemus is a truly remarkable species of sphinx moth. As a caterpillar, it can mimic the shape, scaly texture, eyes, posture, and behavior of a pit viper with such a startling degree of accuracy that the tiny, harmless caterpillars are often mistaken for dangerous snakes.

Above: Hemeroplanes triptolemus caterpillar displaying its defensive posture

When threatened, the caterpillar typically suspends itself from a twig, flips its body over, tucks in its legs, and inflates the anterior segments of its body in order to mimic the shape of a serpent's head.

As the body segments expand, several markings on each side of the caterpillar's body are also exposed; these markings mimic the eyes, nostrils, and scales of a snake.

Above: this caterpillar is actually hanging upside-down, with its head located at the tip of the snake's "nose"

As this article explains:

At the slightest hint of danger—be it a stooping bird or pouncing lizard—the sphinx moth caterpillar begins its masquerade. Dangling from a twig, it reveals an underside patterned in faux snakeskin and eyespots that appear to glisten. By sucking in air through tiny holes in its surface, the caterpillar inflates its head to create the illusion of a triangular skull swollen with venom glands.

If the shape of a deadly snake isn’t enough to startle away a hungry predator, the caterpillar will lunge as if to strike. And despite the larva’s comical lack of any actual weaponry, the strategy appears to be effective.

Above: this caterpillar's false eyespots are not yet visible because the "snake head" is only partially inflated

This elaborate disguise is only present during the final instar, which is the last stage of development before the caterpillar enters pupation and then transforms into an adult moth.

Above: the adult form of Hemeroplanes triptolemus

I know that I've said this before, but I really think that moths are the world's greatest mimics, and this species is an excellent example of that. I've also written posts about moths that can mimic wasps, jumping spiders, broken birch twigs, snails, curled-up leaves, hornets and bumblebees, cuckoo bees, the leaves of a poplar tree, more broken twigs, a one-eyed snake, and a pair of flies feeding on bird feces.

Sources & More Info:

National Geographic: This Harmless Caterpillar Looks Like a Pit Viper

iNaturalist: Hemeroplanes triptolemus

BioGraphic: Snake Fake

Animal Behaviour: Defensive Posture and Eyespots Deter Avian Predators from Attacking Caterpillar Models

University of Nebraska: Mimicry in Insects (PDF)

Ecology and Evolution: Outstanding Issues in the Study of Antipredator Defenses

[have-you-seen-this-animal]

poplar hawk moth please <3

Have you seen the poplar hawkmoth (Laothoe populi)?

I have now

Yes, in photos/videos

Yes, irl

I'm not sure

Voting ended onFeb 12

[jupiterswasphouse]

[VIDEO AND PHOTOS TAKEN: OCTOBER 30TH, 2024 | Video and Image IDs: A video and five photos of a brown, leaf-patterned mournful sphinx moth. In the video and the final two photos, it's on a human hand, the video showing it shaking its wings rapidly as the camera turns to show the side of the moth. In the remaining photos, it's on a grey doorframe. /End IDs.]

The Mournful Sphinx, Enyo lugubris!

[oakcricket]

walnut sphinx moth!!