Amorpha juglandis, the walnut sphinx, is the only species in the monotypic moth genus Amorpha, which is in the family Sphingidae, erected by Jacob Hübner in 1809. The species 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 45–75mm.

Biology

The adult moth is nocturnal, active mainly during the early hours of the night.

The caterpillar feeds on alder (Alnus), hickory (Carya), hazelnut (Corylus), beech (Fagus), walnut (Juglans), and hop-hornbeam (Ostrya) species. When attacked by a bird, the caterpillar produces a high-pitched whistle by expelling air from pairs of spiracless in its abdomen. This whistle is similar to the alarm signal produced by various bird species. One group of researchers in Montana hypothesized that this is a form of mimicry that functions as an antipredator adaptation to startle the bird, causing them to potentially reject the caterpillar.

References

Further reading

External links

• ". Sphingidae of the Americas. Archived June 29, 2006.