long, narrow, very strong wings. The antennae are more or less 
thickened at the middle or toward the tip and are usually pointed 
or curved back in the form of a hook. The mouth parts are usu- 
ally very long, and when not in use are held coiled beneath the 
head like a watch spring. Mature larvae are long, usually naked, 
and each bears either a horn, an eyelike spot, or a low tubercle on 
top of the eighth abdominal segment. The pose of the larva while 
at rest is distinctive—it clings to its support with its abdominal 
legs, holds the front part of the body aloft, and bends its head 
downward. 
Sphinx moths are strong fliers. Some fly only at night, others, 
at twilight or during the day. They are usually seen hovering like 
hummingbirds over flowers and feeding on nectar while in flight. 
The elm sphinx, Ceratomia amyntor (Hbn.), feeds on basswood, 
birch, and elm throughout eastern United States. Full-grown 
larvae are pale green to reddish-brown, are marked on each side 
with seven oblique, whitish stripes; bear pairs of horns on the 
tops of the second and third abdominal segments; and have one 
caudal horn. They are about 75 mm. long. C. wndulosa (Wlkr.) 
feeds on white ash and lilac from eastern Canada and Maine to 
the Carolinas and westward to the Mississippi River Valley. Full- 
grown larvae are about 62 mm. long. The head is bluish-green 
marked by a broad, pale band. The pea green body tapers toward 
the head and is marked by seven oblique, yellow stripes on each 
side; the spiracles are orange-colored; and the caudal horn is 
reddish and curved towards the tip. 
The catalpa sphinx, Ceratomia catalpae (Bdv.), occurs from 
New Jersey to Florida and westward to Michigan, Kansas, Iowa, 
and Texas, but appears to be most abundant in the Southeastern 
States. It feeds exclusively on catalpa trees, often completely de- 
foliating them. The adult is heavy-bodied and has a wingspan of 
about 75 mm. The front wings and body are gray with irregular 
dark and light bands and markings; the hindwings are almost 
uniformly brownish-gray. Full-grown larvae are about 75 mm. 
long and armed with a stout, black horn near the posterior (fig. 
106). There are two color forms of large larvae—dark and light 
(385). The dark form is black on top and pale yellow underneath ; 
COURTESY OF ILL. NAT. HIST. SURV. 
FIGURE 106.—Larvae of the catalpa sphinx, Ceratomia catalpae. 
295 
