Amorpha juglandis


Amorpha is a monotypic moth genus in the family Sphingidae erected by Jacob Hübner in 1809. Its only species, Amorpha juglandis, the walnut sphinx, was first described by James Edward Smith in 1797.

Distribution

It is native to North America, where it is distributed from the Atlantic Ocean to the Rocky Mountains in Canada and the United States.

Description

The wingspan is 45–75 mm.

Biology

The adult moth is nocturnal, active mainly during the early hours of the night.
The caterpillar feeds on alder, hickory, hazelnut, beech, walnut, and hop-hornbeam species. When attacked by a bird, the caterpillar produces a high-pitched whistle by expelling air from pair of spiracles in its abdomen. This antipredator adaptation may startle the bird, which may then reject the caterpillar.