Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Ceratomia undulosa (Walker)
Orig. Comb: Daremma undulosa Walker 1856
* phylogenetic sequence # 226700
Explanation of Names
undulosa - Latin for 'a wave' ("unda"); refers to the wavy lines on the adult's forewing
Adult: forewing variably pale gray to yellowish-brown with distinct white reniform spot and several dark wavy lines completely crossing wing; lacks black basal dash (an important distinction); hindwing brownish-gray with three darker lines crossing wing, and white and dark checkered fringe
The illustration in Covell's Guide (1)
shows an individual darker than most.
Larva: body usually greenish, sometimes reddish, with 7 pairs of oblique lateral stripes; head with pink or yellow band running from eyes to crown; horn pinkish; lower end of stripes extend only to intersegmental area, and lack white granulose spotting; anal plate convex above; anal plate and anal prolegs with conspicuous black spotting
[adapted from description by David Wagner and Valerie Giles]
e. N. Amer. to TX and AB - Map
deciduous forests, woodlots, tree plantations, shrubby areas, suburban and riparian areas; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Larvae feed preferentially on leaves of ash (Fraxinus
spp.), especially Green Ash
) in Canada, but also feed on fringetree
spp.), hawthorn (Crataegus
), lilac (Syringa
), oak (Quercus
), privet (Ligustrum
), and other woody plants.
Adults probably do not feed.
Caterpillars pupate underground; overwinters in pupa stage; two generations per year in the south; one generation in the north.
Mated pair; larva; larva; larva; pre-pupal larva; adult
very common; one of our most common sphinx moths
adult easily distinguished from Plebeian Sphinx
) by lack of black basal dash on forewing (Waved Sphinx also has several wavy lines completely crossing forewing, whereas Plebeian Sphinx has only two lines - compare images
of both species at CBIF)
larva similar to Great Ash Sphinx
), but lower end of stripes extend only to intersegmental area, and lack white granulose spotting
Covell, p. 33, plate 4 #10 (1)