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fighter jet moth (Banded sphinx moth)

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Banded sphinx moth
by: Moni

Erica
Your great photo of the beautiful moth is a banded sphinx moth. The distinct bands on the wings of the moth make it easy to ID.The moths feed on flower nectar at dark.

If you had seen the caterpillar, they are so variable it makes them harder to identify. Some of the caterpillars are plain green, while others have bands of yellow, pink, black with combinations of all!
The caterpillars feed on various primrose plants as well as willow, Oenothera sp and Ludwigia sp in southern gardens. Caterpillars once grown pupate in the soil just under the surface.
As you noted they are from southeastern US over to TX and west...occasionally found north of that.
Here are some images on Bugguide of the moth and the caterpillar.
http://bugguide.net/node/view/4747/bgimage?from=0
Thanks for sharing such a gorgeous moth!

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