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Insect ID from photo #875481

Asked July 01, 2024, 11:40 AM EDT

Can you identify the insect in this photo. It is perched on the end of a standard sizes railroad tie.

Baltimore County Maryland

Expert Response

This is a moth in the family Sphingidae, usually going by the common name of Hawkmoths or Sphinx moths. Around 40 species in this group have been documented in Maryland (see linked page for a list that links to image galleries). Several species are of similar size and have similar wing patterns, but our guess from your photo is the Pandorus Sphinx, whose caterpillars eat (among other things) Virginia Creeper, a native vine.

Miri
Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 01, 2024, 11:50 AM EDT
Thank you for the quick response n detailed explanation. 

On Mon, Jul 1, 2024, 11:50 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied July 01, 2024, 12:44 PM EDT
You're welcome.
Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 01, 2024, 12:47 PM EDT

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