Sphinx maurorum, the southern pine hawkmoth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae. The species was first described by Karl Jordan in 1931. It is found on the Iberian Peninsula, as well as in southern and central France as far north as Corrèze and as far south as the Atlas and Rif mountains of North Africa. There are also records from Corsica.
The wingspan is 70–80 mm. There are one to two generations per year. Mostly, there is one generation with adults on wing from mid-July to early August. In some years, adults are on wing from May to June and again in August.
The larvae feed on Pinus (especially Pinus halepensis and Pinus pinaster) and Cedrus species.
Based on the search results, there are two distinct species often referred to in the context of "Southern Pine Hawk Moth": Sphinx maurorum (found in Europe/North Africa) and Lapara coniferarum (found in North America). Below are facts for both, with a focus on the North American species based on the terminology.
Sphinx maurorum is sometimes called the Southern Pine Hawk-moth and is found in the Iberian Peninsula, southern/central France, and North Africa.
Appearance: Wingspan is 70–80 mm. It is similar to S. pinastri but often lighter and less contrasting.
Life Cycle: One to two generations per year, with adults on the wing from May to August.
Diet: Larvae feed on Pinus (especially Pinus halepensis and Pinus pinaster) and Cedrus species.
Displacement: It is currently spreading north in Europe, displacing the standard Pine Hawk-moth (S. pinastri) in southern areas.
