Aellopos titan, Titan sphinx, White banded day
sphinx
Aellopos titan
ay-LOH-puhsMTYE-tuhn
(Cramer, 1777) Sphinx
The Titan Sphinx or White-banded Day Sphinx
Aellopos titan, Deep Lake, Sarona, Washburn County, Wisconsin,
August 12, 2021, courtesy of Celeste Rouse.
Aellopos titan, Sarona, Washburn County, Wisconsin,
August 12, 2021, courtesy of Celeste Rouse.
Aellopos titan, Sarona, Washburn County, Wisconsin,
August 12, 2021, courtesy of Celeste Rouse.
Celeste writes, "I was out tending to my Hummingbirds when I looked over at my Phlox to see if I saw any movement. I was
delighted to see a Clearwing Hummingbird Moth which has been my third visitor of the year. I figured I had
enough pics of him when I saw another larger visitor! I ran into the house to get my camera praying he would
still be there.
"IT WAS A TITAN SPHINX Moth. I had never heard or seen one before. I tried to do a little research to see if
they are common in North West Wisconsin and I don't think they are.
"I am sending you three photos. Any information you can give me would be valuable."
I reply, "Yes, it is an Aellopos titan, and it is a rare stray into Wisconsin.
"There are quite a few Sphingidae, generally from much further south, that seem to ride severe weather patterns (wind currents) and are probably wind assisted from
south to north along some of the river valleys. Check out the website link that I sent and you will see the list of rare strays in Wisconsin. The state of Ohio is
also known for its rare strays, and I think they are wind assisted as well along the Ohio River valley.
"It is likely that these strays cannot overwinter in Ohio or Wisconsin, but are multi-brooded, and early broods from much further south ride wind currents into
some of the northern states."
I was very surprised when I received the three images above, August 12, 2021, from Celeste Rouse in northwestern Wisconsin: Washburn County.
I am not sure if there are previous records from Wisconsin or not.
I was even more surprised when I received the three images below from Don Severson in centralwestern Wisconsin: Trempealaeu County, the very next day, August 13, 2021.
I suspect these moths were aided by strong, storm winds in their northward journey. I doubt there are breeding populations, at least not ones that overwinter,
in Wisconsin.
Aellopos titan, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin,
August 13, 2021, courtesy of Don Severson.
Aellopos titan, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin,
August 13, 2021, courtesy of Don Severson.
Aellopos titan, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin,
August 13, 2021, courtesy of Don Severson.
Pink phlox appears to be a strong attractat for this species!!!
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