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Pandorus Sphinx

Eumorpha pandorus[4]

The pandorus sphinx is a large sphinx moth whose spotted caterpillars feed on grape, Virginia creeper and other vines in the grape family.[1][2][3]

Group
Insect
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Sphingidae
US records
36 states
Sources
4 cited
Updated
2026-10-16
Orange pandorus sphinx caterpillar with white oval spots on a stem
Orange pandorus sphinx caterpillar with white oval spots on a stem. (c) Christine Young, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0
On this page
  1. Identification
  2. Look-alikes
  3. Where it lives
  4. Biology
  5. Damage and signs
  6. Health risk
  7. Control
  8. Related profiles
  9. Common questions
  10. Sources

How to identify it

  • Caterpillars grow to about 3 1/2 inches and vary from green to orange, pink or reddish brown, with whitish round spots along the body and black flecks around the head.[1][2]
  • Young caterpillars have a thin, curled tail horn that is replaced by a button in older caterpillars.[1][2]

Look-alikes

Look-alikeHow to tell them apart
Abbott's sphinxAnother grape-family sphinx; its mature caterpillar is mottled brown with ten green square patches and an eye-like knob at the rear.[2]
Virginia creeper sphinxMDC lists it with the pandorus and achemon sphinxes as caterpillars unwelcome in vineyards.[3]

Where it lives

Recorded in Minnesota and Missouri on grape-family vines.[1][2][3]

US map: public records from 36 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

It overwinters as a pupa several inches deep in soil; adults emerge in June and July and lay eggs.[2]

Caterpillars are active from July into September, and there is one generation a year.[1][2]

Damage and signs

  • Caterpillars chew holes in leaves; usually little damage occurs, though severe defoliation is possible in local spots.[2]
  • MDC notes pandorus sphinx caterpillars are unwelcome in vineyards, though most sphinx moths do not seriously injure their hosts.[3]

Health risk

None to people or pets.[1][2]

Control

Traps and physical control

Ornamental plants usually tolerate caterpillar feeding, so treatment is often unnecessary; when only a few are present, remove them by hand.[2]

Common questions

What is the huge spotted caterpillar on my grape vine?
Possibly a pandorus sphinx caterpillar, which feeds on grape and Virginia creeper.[1][2]
Will it kill my vine?
Usually not; damage is generally light.[2]

Sources

  1. University of Minnesota Extension (What insect is this?), “Pandora sphinx.” apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/insect/trees-shrubs/caterpillars/large/pandorasphinx.html (accessed 2026-10-16)
  2. University of Minnesota Extension, “Caterpillars on ornamental plants (Yard and Garden).” extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/caterpillars-ornamental-plants (accessed 2026-10-16)
  3. Missouri Department of Conservation, “Sphinx Moths (Hawk Moths) (Field Guide).” mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/sphinx-moths-hawk-moths (accessed 2026-10-16)
  4. iNaturalist, “Eumorpha pandorus taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/47914 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-16. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.