Inyo County, California

Sphingidae

Hyles lineata, April 3, 2007, Inyo County, courtesy of Ruth Nielsen.

This page is dedicated to Ruth Nielsen (RN) who sent me the image (above--April 3, 2007) of a Hyles lineata moth nectaring at on lilac bush and another (right--April 14, 2006) nectaring at cherry blossoms.
Ruth writes (2006), "There were at least a half dozen of them busily gathering nectar from the cherry blossoms at dusk last night, April 14, 2006.

On June 10, 2006, Ruth sent me the image below of a Hyles lineata larva. It is probably an offspring of one of the moths she saw flying in April.

Thirty-two Sphingidae species are listed in the USGS for California. Not all of the species are reported by USGS (ten species: Manduca quinquemaculata, Sphinx chersis, Sphinx vashti, Smerinthus cerisyi, Paonias myops, Pachysphinx occidentalis, Erinnyis ello, Hemaris diffinis, Eumorpha achemon, and Hyles lineata) or anticipated in Inyo County.
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 this species in Inyo County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is 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 has not been reported in Inyo County, but may be there as a very rare stray.
The moth is a very strong flier and is frequently encountered far north of its usual range.

Manduca quinquemaculata 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 sexta WO, the Carolina Sphinx
This species is not recorded in Inyo County, but it has been reported in neighbouring counties. If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it.
Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant.

Sphinx chersis USGS, 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 reaching the wing tip. Note grey thorax with narrow black lines.

Sphinx dollii WO, the Doll's sphinx
Sphinx dollii (Wing span: 1 3/4 - 2 1/2 inches (4.5 - 6.3 cm)), flies in arid brushlands and desert foothills from Nevada and southern California east through Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico to Oklahoma and Texas. (possibly in eastern Inyo Co.)

Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx
Forewings, long and slender, are held close to the body when the moth is at rest. (northern if present) I only see them occasionally on P.E.I. despite visiting lights frequently.

Sphinx perelegans WO, the Elegant Sphinx
Sphinx perelegans adults fly in montane woodlands and mixed chaparral-type vegetation as a single brood in the north, with adults mainly on the wing in June and July.
It flies from dusk until after midnight. Note dark thorax.

Sphinx sequoiae WOQuestionable, the Sequoiae Sphinx
This species is not recorded in Inyo.
Adults fly as a single brood in the desert and in pinyon-juniper woodland from May to August.

Sphinx vashti USGS, the Snowberry Sphinx
The upperside of the forewing has a narrow black subterminal line bordered by a white inverted V-shaped line on the outside, and a black line running inwards from the apex of the wing.
It is most often found in montane woodlands and along streamcourses.

Smerinthini Tribe:

Pachysphinx occidentalis USGS/AS, 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.
Pachysphinx occidentalis, Bishop, California, 4000', June 30, 2010, Annette Switzer

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.

Paonias myops USGS, the Small-eyed Sphinx
This small species is present in Inyo County. This species ranges across North America.
The hindwings have a small blue eyespot ringed with black on a yellow background.

Macroglossinae subfamily

Dilophonotini Tribe:

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

Hemaris thetis USGS, 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 USGS/RN, the Achemon Sphinx
Adults nectar from flowers of Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), petunia (Petunia hybrida), mock orange (Philadelphus coronarius), and phlox (Phlox). Fight would be from June to August. Larvae feed on grape foliage.

Eumorpha achemon May 29, 2008, courtesy of Ruth Nielsen

Macroglossini Tribe:

Arctonotus lucidus WO, the Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear Sphinx
This species is not confirmed in Inyo County (probably western if present). 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, WO see below
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 RN, the White-lined Sphinx
Adults usually fly at dusk, during the night, at dawn, and during the day. Moths nectar at a number of different flowers and oviposit on Epilobium cana (California fuchsia) and Hooker's Evening Primrose.

Hyles lineata, April 14, 2006, Ruth Nielsen.
Hyles lineata, April 3, 2007, Ruth Nielsen.
Hyles lineata, April 4, 2008, Ruth Nielsen.
Hyles lineata, May 29, 2008, Ruth Nielsen.

Proserpinus clarkiae WO, Clark's Sphinx,
Adults fly in the afternoon from April-June in oak woodland and pine-oak woodland in foothills, nectaring from chia, heartleaf milkweed, golden currant, bluedicks, fairyfans, vetches, thistles, hedgenettles, etc.

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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Inyo County, California

Sphingidae

Hyles lineata, April 3, 2007, Inyo County, courtesy of Ruth Nielsen.

Sphinginae subfamily

Sphingini tribe:

Agrius cingulata WO This species has not been reported in Inyo County, but may be there as a very rare stray. The moth is a very strong flier and is frequently encountered far north of its usual range.

Manduca quinquemaculata 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 sexta WO, the Carolina Sphinx This species is not recorded in Inyo County, but it has been reported in neighbouring counties. If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it. Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant.

Sphinx chersis USGS, 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 reaching the wing tip. Note grey thorax with narrow black lines.

Sphinx dollii WO, the Doll's sphinx Sphinx dollii (Wing span: 1 3/4 - 2 1/2 inches (4.5 - 6.3 cm)), flies in arid brushlands and desert foothills from Nevada and southern California east through Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico to Oklahoma and Texas. (possibly in eastern Inyo Co.)

Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx Forewings, long and slender, are held close to the body when the moth is at rest. (northern if present) I only see them occasionally on P.E.I. despite visiting lights frequently.

Sphinx perelegans WO, the Elegant Sphinx Sphinx perelegans adults fly in montane woodlands and mixed chaparral-type vegetation as a single brood in the north, with adults mainly on the wing in June and July. It flies from dusk until after midnight. Note dark thorax.

Sphinx sequoiae WOQuestionable, the Sequoiae Sphinx This species is not recorded in Inyo. Adults fly as a single brood in the desert and in pinyon-juniper woodland from May to August.

Sphinx vashti USGS, the Snowberry Sphinx The upperside of the forewing has a narrow black subterminal line bordered by a white inverted V-shaped line on the outside, and a black line running inwards from the apex of the wing. It is most often found in montane woodlands and along streamcourses.

Smerinthini Tribe:

Pachysphinx occidentalis USGS/AS, 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.

Paonias myops USGS, the Small-eyed Sphinx This small species is present in Inyo County. This species ranges across North America. The hindwings have a small blue eyespot ringed with black on a yellow background.

Macroglossinae subfamily

Dilophonotini Tribe:

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

Hemaris thetis USGS, 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 USGS/RN, the Achemon Sphinx Adults nectar from flowers of Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), petunia (Petunia hybrida), mock orange (Philadelphus coronarius), and phlox (Phlox). Fight would be from June to August. Larvae feed on grape foliage.

Macroglossini Tribe:

Arctonotus lucidus WO, the Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear SphinxThis species is not confirmed in Inyo County (probably western if present). 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, WO see below 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 RN, the White-lined Sphinx Adults usually fly at dusk, during the night, at dawn, and during the day. Moths nectar at a number of different flowers and oviposit on Epilobium cana (California fuchsia) and Hooker's Evening Primrose.

Proserpinus clarkiae WO, Clark's Sphinx, Adults fly in the afternoon from April-June in oak woodland and pine-oak woodland in foothills, nectaring from chia, heartleaf milkweed, golden currant, bluedicks, fairyfans, vetches, thistles, hedgenettles, etc.

Agrius cingulata WO
This species has not been reported in Inyo County, but may be there as a very rare stray.
The moth is a very strong flier and is frequently encountered far north of its usual range.

Manduca quinquemaculata 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 sexta WO, the Carolina Sphinx
This species is not recorded in Inyo County, but it has been reported in neighbouring counties. If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it.
Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant.

Sphinx chersis USGS, 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 reaching the wing tip. Note grey thorax with narrow black lines.

Sphinx dollii WO, the Doll's sphinx
Sphinx dollii (Wing span: 1 3/4 - 2 1/2 inches (4.5 - 6.3 cm)), flies in arid brushlands and desert foothills from Nevada and southern California east through Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico to Oklahoma and Texas. (possibly in eastern Inyo Co.)

Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx
Forewings, long and slender, are held close to the body when the moth is at rest. (northern if present) I only see them occasionally on P.E.I. despite visiting lights frequently.

Sphinx perelegans WO, the Elegant Sphinx
Sphinx perelegans adults fly in montane woodlands and mixed chaparral-type vegetation as a single brood in the north, with adults mainly on the wing in June and July.
It flies from dusk until after midnight. Note dark thorax.

Sphinx sequoiae WOQuestionable, the Sequoiae Sphinx
This species is not recorded in Inyo.
Adults fly as a single brood in the desert and in pinyon-juniper woodland from May to August.

Sphinx vashti USGS, the Snowberry Sphinx
The upperside of the forewing has a narrow black subterminal line bordered by a white inverted V-shaped line on the outside, and a black line running inwards from the apex of the wing.
It is most often found in montane woodlands and along streamcourses.

Pachysphinx occidentalis USGS/AS, 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.

Paonias myops USGS, the Small-eyed Sphinx
This small species is present in Inyo County. This species ranges across North America.
The hindwings have a small blue eyespot ringed with black on a yellow background.

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

Hemaris thetis USGS, 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 USGS/RN, the Achemon Sphinx
Adults nectar from flowers of Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), petunia (Petunia hybrida), mock orange (Philadelphus coronarius), and phlox (Phlox). Fight would be from June to August. Larvae feed on grape foliage.

Arctonotus lucidus WO, the Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear Sphinx
This species is not confirmed in Inyo County (probably western if present). 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, WO see below
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 RN, the White-lined Sphinx
Adults usually fly at dusk, during the night, at dawn, and during the day. Moths nectar at a number of different flowers and oviposit on Epilobium cana (California fuchsia) and Hooker's Evening Primrose.

Proserpinus clarkiae WO, Clark's Sphinx,
Adults fly in the afternoon from April-June in oak woodland and pine-oak woodland in foothills, nectaring from chia, heartleaf milkweed, golden currant, bluedicks, fairyfans, vetches, thistles, hedgenettles, etc.