An update for 2026 and an Ode to the White-lined sphinx moth

by Catherine Campbell March 01, 2026

First, the good news: egg season is just around the corner. Preorders are still available for White-lined sphinx moth eggs (keep reading to the end) and Polyphemus silk moth eggs (quantity is limited, more information about this species here). We also still have overwintering White-lined sphinx moth pupae and Two-tailed tiger swallowtail chrysalids available, both of which will be ready to eclose this spring.

2025 was a mixed bag:

Our attempt to restart our Ceanothus silk moth brood was unsuccessful. (East coast breeders seem be experiencing similar difficulties with Cecropia moths in the same genus.)
Polyphemus silk moths had less serious issues, which decreased their numbers, but still allowed us to offer limited overwintering pupae and presales for spring eggs.
Conditions weren't quite right for Anise or Oregon swallowtails, either.
Our Two-tailed swallowtails (Papilio multicaudata) did fairly well. We've been able to supply those to customers in the states for which we have permits.
The success story of the season, however, was the spunky little White-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata), often called the hummingbird moth. After a few years of missing their late summer flight, we were able to raise a large brood and offer both overwintering pupae and presales for spring eggs. To celebrate, here's a little more information about these unusual insects.

Hyles lineata get their nickname from several similarities to hummingbirds. Like other sphinx moths, they have elongated forewings that blend in with their hindwings to look more like a single bird wing. This design creates a flight pattern similar to hummingbirds, with their wings becoming a blur of movement. Additionally, they nectar as adults (unlike many other species of moths that have only vestigial mouths), using their exceptionally long proboscises. Their favorite nectar sources are ones frequented by hummingbirds: flowers with long nectar spurs such as honeysuckle, evening primrose, larkspur, and four o'clock flowers. Their wing muscles are incredibly strong and allow them to hover in place as they feed, leading people to mistake them for miniature hummingbirds.

It's not just the adult form of Hyles lineata that's fascinating, though. From little green eggs hatch little green caterpillars that quickly grow into voracious plaid caterpillars. Like their Sphingidae (sphinx moth) relatives, Manduca quinquemaculata (tomato hawk moth) and Manduca sexta (tobacco hawk moth), they can work en masse to quickly munch through vegetation. Luckily, Hyles lineata are not picky. While we usually raise them on fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium), We've also fed them Virginia creeper, four o'clocks (Mirabilis), evening primrose, and grape leaves. As they're endemic throughout most of the U.S., they have a wide variety of host plants in different areas.

Once they've reached full-size, Hyles lineata bury themselves in the ground to pupate. Some people choose to give them potting soil in which to pupate, but damp paper towels can also be used to simulate underground conditions, while still making the pupae easy to locate. Potting soil is also an excellent medium for the pupae when getting them ready to eclose.

In our region, there are three broods per year: spring, mid-summer, and late-summer/early autumn. Most areas of the U.S. have at least two broods per year.

Preorder egg sales are currently open for Hyles lineata. We typically begin shipping in April, which is earlier than most species, but the ground herbs that Hyles lineata feed on are readily available in most parts of the U.S. by mid-spring. This is a great beginner species, as they're relatively disease-resistant when kept in clean conditions and eat a variety of common plants.