Fireweed Hawk Moth/ Hornworm

Hyles galii (Rottenburg)

Primary host(s) in Alaska:

Fireweed and other perennials

Distribution in Alaska: Throughout Alaska

Current Status in Alaska 

Fireweed hornworms can be found feeding in abundance in late summer throughout Alaska. The large caterpillars can be found on stalks of fireweed and can cause complete defoliation in some areas.          

Symptoms, Biology & Impacts

Adults are large, grey, with a red band on the hindwing. They can have a wingspan up to 6 cm. Commonly called hawk moths or sphinx moths they are often confused with hummingbirds due to their large size and flight patterns. They are important pollinators and can be found feeding on nectar between May and August. Larvae are called hornworms due to the characteristic "horn" on the eighth abdominal segment.  Larvae are quite large, reaching as long as 8 cm and can be green or black in color with pale spots on the body. They overwinter as pupae in the leaf litter. 

In boreal or montane North America, they are referred to as bedstraw hawk moth, as that is their main host there.  

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