Sphinx constricta Butler, 1885, Cist. Ent. 3: 113. Type locality: Japan, [Honshu, Kanagawa,] Kashiwagi [Kashiwagaya].
Structurally similar to Sphinx ligustri, but forewings more elongate and angular; pattern similar, but the pink colour less intense. Hindwing upperside with antemedian and median pale bands connected at costal and inner margins, a situation rare in Sphinx ligustri; the bands much less pink.
Japan: 28.iv-2.vi (Hokkaido); 6.vi-12.viii (Honshu); 20.vii-20.viii (Hokkaido).
OVUM:
LARVA: The anal horn in full-grown larvae of this species in totally black and granular. In Sphinx ligustri Linnaeus, 1758 it is yellow and black, more robust, and smooth.
PUPA:
Larval hostplants. Enkianthus perulatus, Helwingia japonica, Ilex crenata, I. macropoda, Rhododendron, Spiraea salicifolia, S. thunbergii, Viburnum dilatatum and Weigela hortensis.
Tachinidae: Winthemia cruentata (Rondani).
Japan: Hokkaido (Hakodate; Oshamanbe); Honshu (Sado Island; Kashiwagaya; Shiratani-yama; Onoba; Fujimi Heights; Shimashima Valley; Bushi; Yamakita); Kyushu.
Endemic to Japan, south of southern Hokkaido (Komatsu & Inoko, 2000).
In central and northern Hokkaido, Japan, this species is replaced by Sphinx ligustri.