Western eyed sphinx
The western eyed sphinx is a hawk moth from western North America. Like other eyed sphinxes, it has eye-like spots on its back wings that it can flash to scare off birds. The moths in the prairies are often pale brown.
How fast is it?
Fun facts
For a long time it was counted as part of another moth, the one-eyed sphinx. In 2010 scientists split them into two species.
Its DNA turned out to be surprisingly different from its look-alike cousin.
Its front wings have smoother edges and lines than the one-eyed sphinx.
Most asked questions about Western eyed sphinx
?Where does the western eyed sphinx live?
In western North America, from California north to Alberta.
?Why is it called an eyed sphinx?
Its back wings have big spots that look like eyes, which can startle a hungry bird.
For bug experts
- Scientific name
- Smerinthus ophthalmica
- Named by
- Boisduval, 1855
- Group
- Moths
- Family
- Sphingidae
- Classification
- Insecta > Lepidoptera > Sphingidae
- Lives on
- North America
Where the facts come from
- Smerinthus ophthalmica (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0): what it looks like, where it lives, what it eats, sizes and fun facts, retold in simple words.
- Picture by Didier Descouens. CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. The sticker of this bug is drawn from this picture.
If we got something wrong, sorry, we are bug fans, not a science journal. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
Bug Wiki honey jar For grown-ups: Bug Wiki is free, with no ads and no tracking. A small tip helps keep it online.Leave a tip
Atlas moth
Luna moth
Hummingbird hawk-moth
Domestic silk moth
Isabella tiger moth
Polyphemus moth
American carrion beetle
Mexican redknee tarantula
Magnolia green jumper
Social huntsman spider
Reddish-brown stag beetle
Wasp mantidfly_California_USA_male_dorsal.jpg){kind=link}