SOURWOOD DEFOLIATION BY LETTERED SPHINX (DEIDAMIA INSCRIPTA) IN GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK (LEPIDOPTERA: SPHINGIDAE)

摘要

The Lettered Sphinx, Deidamia inscripta (Harris), is a familiar, widespread moth that occurs from South Dakota, extreme southern Quebec, and Massachusetts to northern Florida and Mississippi (Hodges 1971, Covell 1984). It is a univoltine, early seasonsphingid, flying from late April through mid May over much of its range (Hodges 1971). Reported hosts include grape (Vitis), ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus), all members of the Vitaceae (Forbes 1948, Hodges 1971, Covell 1984). Here we report widespread use and defoliation of a heath, sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum (L.) DC) (Family Ericaceae), in the Appalachians.