Butterflies & Moths

Blinded Sphinx

(Paonias excaecata)

A chunky moth with beautiful pink-tinged hindwings featuring blue "eyespots" that lack a black pupil, hence the name "blinded."

Sphinx moths are often called "Hawk Moths" because of their powerful, high-speed flight and their ability to hover while feeding.
The "Blinded" name refers to the fact that the blue eyespots on the wings lack the central black pupil found in other related species.
During the day, the Blinded Sphinx rests on the undersides of leaves, hanging by its front legs to mimic a dead, curled leaf.
The "Blinded" name refers to the blue eyespots on the hindwings which lack a central black pupil.
During the day, this moth hangs by its front legs from the underside of a leaf to mimic a dead leaf.
Blinded Sphinx moths have no functional mouthparts as adults and live only to mate.