galium sphinx

Galium sphinx, also called bedstraw hawkmoth, is a large moth but a small sphinx moth. It occurs around the globe in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. In the United States it occurs as far south as Iowa. It is common and increasing in the east from Connecticut to Pennsylvania. It is not uncommon in Minnesota. It is found in forest edges, meadows, roadsides, and gardens.

Adults are 1½″ to 2″ (38 to 50 mm) long and have a wingspan of 2 9 ⁄16″ to 3 1 ⁄16″ (64 to 78 mm).

The forewing is long and narrow with a smooth forward (costal) margin, a convex outer margin, and a slightly concave inner margin. The upperside is dark olive brown near the costal and inner margins, blackish-gray toward the center. A narrow tan band extends diagonally from the inner margin near the base to the wing tip. The veins are inconspicuous, dark in the tan stripe, brown and slightly lighter in the dark areas. Unlike the closely-related white-lined sphinx, there are no white streaks along the veins. There is a pale spot in the basal area and a small, irregular, white patch in the median area.

The hindwing is blackish gray with a pale fringe and a broad, deep pink band extending diagonally from the inner margin near the body to the outer margin near the apex.

The head and thorax are dark olive brown. A thin white stripe on each side of the head extends along the side of the thorax.

The antenna is thickened and club-like. The proboscis is long and is coiled under the head when not in use.

The caterpillar is up to 2¾″ long. The background color is highly variable. It is usually brown or black, sometimes green. There are often small, yellow, vertically aligned spots on the sides. On some individuals, these spots densely cover the entire body. There is large yellowish spot on each side in the subdorsal area of the third segment of the thorax and on abdominal segments 1 through 8. These spots are usually broadly surrounded with black. A stout, bright red horn extends from the middorsal surface of the eighth abdominal segment. The breathing pores (spiracles) on each lower side of each abdominal segment are pale with a narrow black border. The head, prothoracic shield, and anal plate are always the same color, usually reddish, sometimes lavender-purple.

Mature caterpillars can be found from mid-August to October.

Total length: 1½″ to 2″ (38 to 50 mm)

Wingspan: 2 9 ⁄16″ to 3 1 ⁄16″ (64 to 78 mm)

Forest edges, meadows, roadsides, gardens

One generation: May through August

Adults are active from late afternoon through the night. They are attracted to light.

The female lays eggs on the leaves of host plants. Pupa overwinter in the ground.

Bedstraw (Galium spp.), willowherb (Epilobium spp.), and fireweed (Chamerion spp.)

Flower nectar

Sources

21, 24, 29, 30, 71, 75, 82, 83.

Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 8/14/2025).

Not uncommon in Minnesota

Hyles Gallii The Bedstraw Hawkmoth
MrIAC67

Gallium Sphinx Moth (Hyles gallii) Taking Flight
Carl Barrentine

Bedstraw Hawk-Moth Caterpillar (Hyles gallii) 1Of2
DJ's Nature Planet

Galium Sphinx moth (Hyles gallii) caterpillar
Henry Jurenka

Location: North Central Massachusetts

Found this in my work parking lot. North Central Massachusetts.  It was about 4.5"-5" in length.

Location: Cass County