Carolina sphinx moth
Manduca sexta
insectView on iNaturalist
Large gray hawk moth with pink abdomen stripes. Caterpillars feed on nightshades; adults hover-pollinate petunias and datura at dusk.
Plants that support Carolina sphinx moth
3 plants
American Black
Solanum americanum
perennial herb
Larval host, caterpillars feed on Solanum leaves
Bay Area native
Blue Witch
Solanum umbelliferum
shrub
Larval host plant; caterpillar feeding summer months
Bay Area native
Hairy Thorn-apple
Datura wrightii
perennial herb
larvae feed on foliage May-August, critical host plant in southwestern desert
Bay Area native