Imperial County, California
Sphingidae Adults

Euproserpinus phaeton "mojave" female, nearby Yuma, Arizona,
January 2, 2009, courtesy of Jennifer L. Bundy.

This page is dedicated to and inspired by Jennifer L. Bundy for her abiding interest in lepidoptera.

Jenifer L. Bundy writes, "I have fully reared E. phaeton from ova to 5th this year from stock collected in another locality not well studied - lower Imperial Co., CA. The larvae shots I have from 1st instar to around 3rd are nearly identical, morphological wise, to E. euterpe."

Thirty-two Sphingidae species are listed in the USGS for California. Not all of the species are reported by USGS or anticipated in Imperial County (eight species recorded).
It is hoped that this checklist, with the thumbnails and notes, will help you quickly identify the moths you have encountered.
A WO" after the species name indicates that I have no confirmed reports of these species in San Diego County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that these moths (Sphinx chersis, Eumorpha fasciata (as a stray) and Proserpinus clarkiae may be present.
A USGS indicates the moth is reported on the USGS website and/or in Moths of Western North America, #2. Distribution of Sphingidae of Western North America, revised, an excellent little booklet available through Paul Opler.
Please help me develop this list with improved, documented accuracy by sending sightings (species, date, location), preferably with an image, via email to Bill Oehlke.

Sphinginae subfamily

Sphingini tribe:

Agrius cingulata WO
This species might be enountered in Imperial County and in other southern California counties as a stray.
The moth is a very strong flier and is frequently encountered far north of its usual range.

Manduca quinquemaculatus USGS, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth
This large bodied moth flies in tobacco fields and vegetable gardens (potatoes, tomatoes) and wherever host plants are found.

Manduca rustica USGS, the Rustic Sphinx
This species is recorded in San Diego County. It does not range much further north, however. Look for three large yellow spots on each side of the abdomen.

Manduca sexta USGS, the Carolina Sphinx
This species is recorded in San Diego County. If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it.
Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant.

Sphinx chersis WO, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx
The upperside of the forewing is soft dark gray to blue-gray with a series of black dashes, one of which reaches the wing tip.

Smerinthini Tribe:

Pachysphinx occidentalis USGS, the Big Poplar Sphinx
This one is quite similar to Pachysphinx modesta, with modesta being smaller and darker.
Moths should be on the wing from June-August.

Smerinthus cerisyi USGS, the Cerisyi's Sphinx or One-eyed Sphinx,
Larvae feed on poplars and willows.
Flight would be from late May-July as a single brood.

Smerinthus saliceti USGS, the Salicet Sphinx, flies in valleys and along streamsides from Mexico City north to west Texas, southern Arizona, and extreme southern California. Larvae feed on poplars and willows.
Flight would be from late April-September, probably as a double brood.

Macroglossinae subfamily

Dilophonotini Tribe:

Aellopos clavipes WO, the Aellopos Sphinx.
The body is dark brown with a wide white band across the abdomen. Wings are dark brown. The forewing has a black cell spot and 3 white spots near the pale brown marginal area. unlikely stray

Erinnyis crameri, the Cramer's Sphinx, WO
This species is more likely to occur as an occasional stray rather than as a breeding resident.
As a migrant stray it would be seen later in the season, July-August.

Erinnyis ello, the Ello Sphinx, WO
The abdomen has very distinct gray and black bands.
Adults nectar at dusk so you may see them in the garen at that time.

Erinnyis obscura, the Obscure Sphinx, WO
During the night adults nectar at flowers, including bouncing bet (Saponaria officinalis) and Asystasia gangetica beginning at dusk.
July and August are flight times in the southern states.

Hemaris thetis WO, the Thetis Clearwing or Bee Hawk Moth,
The moth flies along forest edges and in meadows, gardens and brushy fields. Day-flying adults nectar at lantana, dwarf bush honeysuckle, snowberry, orange hawkweed, thistles, lilac, Canada violet, etc.

Philampelini Tribe:

Eumorpha achemon WO, the Achemon Sphinx
This moth is reported for San Diego County, and might be present in Imperial County.
Fight would be from June to August. Larvae feed on grape foliage.

Eumorpha fasciata WO, the Banded Sphinx
This moth is a very strong flier and is often reported far north of its normal range.
It would be a rare stray to Imperial County if it is at all present. Moths tend to follow rivers and streams.

Macroglossini Tribe:

Arctonotus lucidus WO, the Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear Sphinx
This species is confirmed in Riverside County. It might be present in Imperial County.
It tends to be an late winter-early spring flier, on the wing in the early evening. It comes to lights at night.

Euproserpinus phaeton, the Phaeton Primrose Sphinx, JLB/USGS
Adults nectar at flowers during the warm parts of the day.
Euproserpinus phaeton adults fly swiftly and close to the ground over dry washes and flat areas in deserts as a single brood from February-April.

Hyles lineata USGS, the White-lined Sphinx
Adults usually fly at dusk, during the night, at dawn, and during the day. Moths nectar at salvia and other flowers and oviposit on Epilobium cana (California fuchsia) and Hooker's Evening Primrose, and others.

Enjoy some of nature's wonderments, giant silk moth cocoons. These cocoons are for sale winter and fall. Beautiful Saturniidae moths will emerge the following spring and summer. Read Actias luna rearing article. Additional online help available.
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Imperial County, California Sphingidae Adults

Euproserpinus phaeton "mojave" female, nearby Yuma, Arizona, January 2, 2009, courtesy of Jennifer L. Bundy.

Sphinginae subfamily

Sphingini tribe:

Agrius cingulata WO This species might be enountered in Imperial County and in other southern California counties as a stray.The moth is a very strong flier and is frequently encountered far north of its usual range.

Manduca quinquemaculatus USGS, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This large bodied moth flies in tobacco fields and vegetable gardens (potatoes, tomatoes) and wherever host plants are found.

Manduca rustica USGS, the Rustic Sphinx This species is recorded in San Diego County. It does not range much further north, however. Look for three large yellow spots on each side of the abdomen.

Manduca sexta USGS, the Carolina Sphinx This species is recorded in San Diego County. If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it. Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant.

Sphinx chersis WO, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is soft dark gray to blue-gray with a series of black dashes, one of which reaches the wing tip.

Smerinthini Tribe:

Pachysphinx occidentalis USGS, the Big Poplar Sphinx This one is quite similar to Pachysphinx modesta, with modesta being smaller and darker. Moths should be on the wing from June-August.

Smerinthus cerisyi USGS, the Cerisyi's Sphinx or One-eyed Sphinx, Larvae feed on poplars and willows. Flight would be from late May-July as a single brood.

Smerinthus saliceti USGS, the Salicet Sphinx, flies in valleys and along streamsides from Mexico City north to west Texas, southern Arizona, and extreme southern California. Larvae feed on poplars and willows. Flight would be from late April-September, probably as a double brood.

Macroglossinae subfamily

Dilophonotini Tribe:

Aellopos clavipes WO, the Aellopos Sphinx. The body is dark brown with a wide white band across the abdomen. Wings are dark brown. The forewing has a black cell spot and 3 white spots near the pale brown marginal area. unlikely stray

Erinnyis crameri, the Cramer's Sphinx, WO This species is more likely to occur as an occasional stray rather than as a breeding resident. As a migrant stray it would be seen later in the season, July-August.

Erinnyis ello, the Ello Sphinx, WO The abdomen has very distinct gray and black bands. Adults nectar at dusk so you may see them in the garen at that time.

Erinnyis obscura, the Obscure Sphinx, WO During the night adults nectar at flowers, including bouncing bet (Saponaria officinalis) and Asystasia gangetica beginning at dusk. July and August are flight times in the southern states.

Hemaris thetis WO, the Thetis Clearwing or Bee Hawk Moth, The moth flies along forest edges and in meadows, gardens and brushy fields. Day-flying adults nectar at lantana, dwarf bush honeysuckle, snowberry, orange hawkweed, thistles, lilac, Canada violet, etc.

Philampelini Tribe:

Eumorpha achemon WO, the Achemon Sphinx This moth is reported for San Diego County, and might be present in Imperial County. Fight would be from June to August. Larvae feed on grape foliage.

Eumorpha fasciata WO, the Banded Sphinx This moth is a very strong flier and is often reported far north of its normal range. It would be a rare stray to Imperial County if it is at all present. Moths tend to follow rivers and streams.

Macroglossini Tribe:

Arctonotus lucidus WO, the Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear SphinxThis species is confirmed in Riverside County. It might be present in Imperial County.It tends to be an late winter-early spring flier, on the wing in the early evening. It comes to lights at night.

Euproserpinus phaeton, the Phaeton Primrose Sphinx, JLB/USGS Adults nectar at flowers during the warm parts of the day. Euproserpinus phaeton adults fly swiftly and close to the ground over dry washes and flat areas in deserts as a single brood from February-April.

Hyles lineata USGS, the White-lined Sphinx Adults usually fly at dusk, during the night, at dawn, and during the day. Moths nectar at salvia and other flowers and oviposit on Epilobium cana (California fuchsia) and Hooker's Evening Primrose, and others.

Imperial County, California
Sphingidae Adults

Euproserpinus phaeton "mojave" female, nearby Yuma, Arizona,
January 2, 2009, courtesy of Jennifer L. Bundy.

Agrius cingulata WO
This species might be enountered in Imperial County and in other southern California counties as a stray.
The moth is a very strong flier and is frequently encountered far north of its usual range.

Manduca quinquemaculatus USGS, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth
This large bodied moth flies in tobacco fields and vegetable gardens (potatoes, tomatoes) and wherever host plants are found.

Manduca rustica USGS, the Rustic Sphinx
This species is recorded in San Diego County. It does not range much further north, however. Look for three large yellow spots on each side of the abdomen.

Manduca sexta USGS, the Carolina Sphinx
This species is recorded in San Diego County. If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it.
Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant.

Sphinx chersis WO, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx
The upperside of the forewing is soft dark gray to blue-gray with a series of black dashes, one of which reaches the wing tip.

Pachysphinx occidentalis USGS, the Big Poplar Sphinx
This one is quite similar to Pachysphinx modesta, with modesta being smaller and darker.
Moths should be on the wing from June-August.

Smerinthus cerisyi USGS, the Cerisyi's Sphinx or One-eyed Sphinx,
Larvae feed on poplars and willows.
Flight would be from late May-July as a single brood.

Smerinthus saliceti USGS, the Salicet Sphinx, flies in valleys and along streamsides from Mexico City north to west Texas, southern Arizona, and extreme southern California. Larvae feed on poplars and willows.
Flight would be from late April-September, probably as a double brood.

Aellopos clavipes WO, the Aellopos Sphinx.
The body is dark brown with a wide white band across the abdomen. Wings are dark brown. The forewing has a black cell spot and 3 white spots near the pale brown marginal area. unlikely stray

Erinnyis crameri, the Cramer's Sphinx, WO
This species is more likely to occur as an occasional stray rather than as a breeding resident.
As a migrant stray it would be seen later in the season, July-August.

Erinnyis ello, the Ello Sphinx, WO
The abdomen has very distinct gray and black bands.
Adults nectar at dusk so you may see them in the garen at that time.

Erinnyis obscura, the Obscure Sphinx, WO
During the night adults nectar at flowers, including bouncing bet (Saponaria officinalis) and Asystasia gangetica beginning at dusk.
July and August are flight times in the southern states.

Hemaris thetis WO, the Thetis Clearwing or Bee Hawk Moth,
The moth flies along forest edges and in meadows, gardens and brushy fields. Day-flying adults nectar at lantana, dwarf bush honeysuckle, snowberry, orange hawkweed, thistles, lilac, Canada violet, etc.

Eumorpha achemon WO, the Achemon Sphinx
This moth is reported for San Diego County, and might be present in Imperial County.
Fight would be from June to August. Larvae feed on grape foliage.

Eumorpha fasciata WO, the Banded Sphinx
This moth is a very strong flier and is often reported far north of its normal range.
It would be a rare stray to Imperial County if it is at all present. Moths tend to follow rivers and streams.

Arctonotus lucidus WO, the Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear Sphinx
This species is confirmed in Riverside County. It might be present in Imperial County.
It tends to be an late winter-early spring flier, on the wing in the early evening. It comes to lights at night.

Euproserpinus phaeton, the Phaeton Primrose Sphinx, JLB/USGS
Adults nectar at flowers during the warm parts of the day.
Euproserpinus phaeton adults fly swiftly and close to the ground over dry washes and flat areas in deserts as a single brood from February-April.

Hyles lineata USGS, the White-lined Sphinx
Adults usually fly at dusk, during the night, at dawn, and during the day. Moths nectar at salvia and other flowers and oviposit on Epilobium cana (California fuchsia) and Hooker's Evening Primrose, and others.