Northwest Territories, Canada
Sphingidae

Five Sphingidae species are listed for Northwest Territories, based on an intial list provided to me by David Tilden. I have added two species with no confirmed reports.

Please help me develop this list with improved, documented accuracy by sending sightings (species, date, location), preferably with an electronic image, via email to Bill Oehlke.

This page is dedicated to David Tilden and Tom Andrews who have sent data and/or images for the Northwest Territories.

Sphinginae subfamily

Sphingini tribe:

Sphinx luscitiosa WO?, the Canadian Sphinx or Clemen's Sphinx. In both sexes, the dark border on the outer margin widens as it approaches the inner margin. The upperside of the hindwing is deep yellow in males, pale yellow in females; both with a wide black border. maybe ??

Sphinx canadensis WO?, Sphinx canadensis, the Canadian Sphinx, is not common, and is not often reported anywhere, but it might be present in Northwest Territories.

Larval hosts are white ash (Fraxinus americana) and blueberry (Vaccinium). maybe ??

Sphinx poecila DT, the Poecila Sphinx. The forewing is dark gray with diffuse black and gray wavy lines with a series of black dashes ending at the wing tip, and a white cell spot. The white cell spot readily distinguishes poecila from canadensis.

Smerinthini Tribe:

Smerinthus cerisyi DT, the Cerisyi's Sphinx
Smerinthus cerisyi is found in the southern regions of all Canadian provinces and in northern border states. The one-eyed sphinx is also found along the U.S. west coast, eastward to the Rockies. At my home in Montague, P.E.I., Canada, they are quite common.

Macroglossinae subfamily


Dilophonotini tribe:

Hemaris thysbe DT, the Hummingbird Clearwing

It is not difficult to see why many gardeners would mistake an Hemaris thysbe moth for a small hummingbird as it hovers, sipping nectar from flowers through a long feeding tube.

Macroglossini tribe:

Hyles gallii DT, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx

This species is reported in Northwest Teritories.

Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not.

Proserpinus flavofasciata DT, the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx

This day flier is officially reported from Northwest Territories, but it may not be common. Look for them in meadows near coniferous forests.




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Please send sightings/images to Bill. I will do my best to respond to requests for identification help.