San Francisco County
Sphingidae

This page is dedicated to Allison Rung (AR) of San Francisco County, California. Allison sent me the image of the Hyles lineata moth depicted above from San Francisco.

Allison writes, "I found your website address on whatsthatbug.com, where I learned that the moth I found on my front steps last week (August 20) is a white-lined sphinx! I attach a photo though I regret its quality is poor. I think this specimen may have been sick, because it readily crawled into my palm, and seemed to be fluttering nervously as I transferred it to a place where it was less likely to get crushed underfoot.

"I read on your site that this isn't a rare species, but I thought this sighting might be of interest to you. Is it? Thanks for the site."

I replied, "I am interested in all sightings of Sphingidae with images and data (date and location). This species has very strong migrating tendancies, and may have been worn out after a long flight, or it may have still been mesmerized by lights that attracted it during the night. Sometimes the fluttering is an attempt to raise body temperature in preparation for flight. If you were having an unusualy cool morning, maybe it was thermoregulating."

Thirty-two Sphingidae species are listed in the USGS for California. Not all of the species are reported by the USGS for San Francisco. (Two species: Hyles lineata and Proserpinus clarkiae are listed by the USGS for San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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: Manduca quinquemaculatus WO, 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 recorded in San Mateo 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 reaching the wing tip. Note grey thorax with narrow black lines. Sphinx drupiferarum WO, questionable, generally more northerly in CA, the Wild Cherry Sphinx Forewings, long and slender, are held close to the body when the moth is at rest. 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 WO, the Sequoiae Sphinx This species is recorded in San Mateo County. Adults fly as a single brood in the desert and in pinyon-juniper woodland from May to August. Smerinthini Tribe: Pachysphinx occidentalis WO, 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 WO, 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. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini Tribe: 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 not recorded for San Francisco County, but it should be present wherever grapes are found. Fight would be from June to August. Larvae feed on grape foliage. Macroglossini Tribe: Arctonotus lucidus WO, the Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear Sphinx This species is not confirmed in San Mateo County. It tends to be an late winter-early spring flier, on the wing in the early evening. It comes to lights at night. Hyles lineata AR/USGS, the White-lined Sphinx Adults usually fly at dusk, during the night, at dawn, and during the day. Moths nectar at salvia and oviposit on Epilobium cana (California fuchsia) and Hooker's Evening Primrose in LA county. Hyles lineata, San Francisco, August 20, 2010, Allison Rung Proserpinus clarkiae USGS, 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.

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

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