Updated as per James P. Tuttle's The Hawk Moths of North America, October 6, 2008
Updated as per BAMONA, November 26, 2021

Bay County, Florida, and Nearby Counties:
Gulf and Liberty
Sphingidae

Agrious cingulata, Panama City, Bay County, Florida,
October 5, 2008, courtesy of Pam Overmyer.

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Pam Overmyer (PO) who sent me images (top and bottom of page) of Agrius cingulata from Bay County, in northwestern Florida.
Sixty-five Sphingidae species are listed for Florida on the U.S.G.S. website, now BAMONA, many of them are tropical strays into the more southerly counties. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Bay County (None are reported on U.S.G.S. as of October 6, 2008). It is hoped that this checklist, with the thumbnails and notes, will help you quickly identify the moths you are likely to encounter.
A "WO" after the species name indicates that I have no confirmed reports of this species in Bay County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present or might be present. A "USGS" indicates the moth is reported on the USGS website, now BAMONA< and/or in Lepidoptera of North America, #1. Distribution of Silkmoths (Saturniidae) and Hawkmoths (Sphingidae) of Eastern North America, 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 electronic image, via email to Bill Oehlke.
Although this page was originally intended as a checklist for Bay County, it also is a valid reference for what is anticipated in nearby Liberty and Gulf counties. As of November 26, 2021, the following are reported on BAMONA for the three counties now referenced on this page.
Liberty County:
Lapara coniferarum; Manduca jasminearum; Sphinx franckii; Sphinx kalmiae; Amorpha juglandis; Paonias astylus; Paonias myops; Eumorpha achemon; Cautethia grotei; Darapsa myron; Darapsa choerilus (pholus); Darapsa versicolor.
Gulf County:
Agrius cingulata.
Bay County:
Agrius cingulata; Manduca rustica; Eumorpha fasciatus; Eumorpha pandorus; Amphion floridensis; Darapsa myron; Hyles lineata; Xylophanes tersa.
The night-blooming moon flower will attract many Sphingidae at dusk and into the night.

Sphinginae subfamily

Sphingini tribe:

Agrius cingulata, PO/Bay/Gulf Pink-spotted Hawk Moth Strong migrant. Adults nectar from deep-throated flowers including moonflower (Calonyction aculeatum), morning glory (Convolvulus), honey suckle (Lonicera), petunia (Petunia species).
Agrius cingulata, Panama City, Bay County, October 5, 2008, Pam Overmyer.

Ceratomia amyntor WO, Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx. Forewing upperside brown with dark brown and white markings including white costal area near wing base, dark streaks along veins, and white spot in cell. Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), cherry (Prunus).

Ceratomia catalpae WO, the Catalpa Sphinx
The upperside of the forewing is yellowish brown with no white markings, but there are indistinct black lines and dashes. The cell spot is gray with a black outline. The larvae feed in large groups and are much more spectacular than the moths.
Catalpa is the larval host.

Ceratomia undulosa WO, Waved Sphinx. Forewing upperside pale brownish gray with wavy black and white lines and a black-outlined white cell spot. Hindwing upperside gray with diffuse darker bands.

Dolba hyloeus WO, Pawpaw Sphinx. The upperside of the forewing is dark brown with a dusting of white scales. Some moths have patches of reddish or yellowish brown on the wings.

Isoparce cupressi WO, the Cypress or Baldcypress Sphinx
Isoparce cupressi, the rare Cypress Sphinx, flies in Cypress swamps in Georgia (specimen type locality), and from Maryland to Texas. It has been reported in Mexico.

Lapara coniferarum WO, Southern Pine Sphinx. Forewing upperside gray with two (sometimes one or three) black dashes near wing center; other markings are usually diffuse. Hindwing upperside uniform brown-gray. If you've got pines, this species is likely present.

Lapara phaeobrachycerous WO., Forewing upperside charcoal gray to brownish gray with white scales along curving postmedial line and aprominent black dash (sometimes two) near wing center. Hindwing upperside uniform charcoal gray to brownish gray with no white scales or markings.

Manduca jasminearum WO/Liberty, Ash Sphinx. Forewing upperside gray to grayish brown with black line running from middle of costa to middle of outer margin; line may be broken near margin. Splash of brown around the cell spot.

Manduca quinquemaculatus WO, Five-spotted Hawkmoth. I suspect if you grow tomatoes, you are likely to encounter Manduca quinquemaculata.

Manduca rustica WO/Bay, Rustic Sphinx. Look for three large yellow spots. Forewing upperside yellowish brown to deep chocolate brown with dusting of white scales & zigzagged black and white lines.

Manduca sexta WO, Carolina Sphinx.If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered Manduca sexta in the larval stage. Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant.

Paratrea plebeja WO, Plebeian Sphinx. The upperside of forewing gray with indistinct black and white markings. Series of black dashes from the base to the tip, and a small white cell spot.

Sphinx franckii WO/Liberty, Franck's Sphinx Moth. Forewing costal half grey, but posterior portion is distinctive warm yellowish-brown; boundary between these two areas marked with series of dark diagonal streaks. Similar to S. kalmiae but lacks dark bar along fw inner margin.

Sphinx gordius WO, the Apple Sphinx
The upperside of the forewing ranges from brown with black borders through brownish gray with paler borders to pale gray with no borders.

Sphinx kalmiae WO/Liberty, Laurel Sphinx
Lower forewings predominantly brownish-yellow with fairly wide dark bar along inner margin. At rest wings hug body, giving the moth a long slender look.

Smerinthini Tribe:

Amorpha juglandis WO/Liberty, Walnut Sphinx. Adults highly variable; sometimes wings of an individual may be all one color or may have several colors, ranging from pale to dark brown, and may have a white or pink tinge. Patterns range from faint to pronounced. Female is different.

Pachysphinx modesta WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx
They are common on Prince Edward Island in eastern Canada and the range extends into Florida.

Paonias astylus WO/Liberty, the Huckleberry Sphinx
Paonias astylus flies from March-September in Florida and from April-September in Louisiana. There is one brood northward from June-August. This appears to be an uncommon species.

Paonias excaecata WO, the Blinded Sphinx
Named for the dull grey-blue spot (minus dark pupil) in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution in eastern United States. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island.

Paonias myops WO/Liberty, Small-eyed Sphinx. Named for small hindwing eye-spot, this moth has wide distribution & is probably common in this area. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island.

Smerinthus jamaicensis WO, the Twin-spotted Sphinx
This moth is widely distributed and fairly common.
Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida.

Macroglossinae subfamily

Dilophonotini tribe:

Aellopos titan WO, Titan Sphinx. possible stray Body dark brown with wide white stripe across abdomen. Wings dark brown. Upperside of the hindwing has pale patches along the costa and inner margin.

Enyo lugubris, Mournful Sphinx, WO. Body & wings dark brown. Forewing has alarge black patch covering most of outer half of wing. Pale tan cell spot (dark inner pupil), and fairly straight median line to inside of cell spot.

Erinnyis alope WO, Alope Sphinx. The upperside of the forewing is dark brown with short yellowish streaks on the forward half and wavy yellowish bands on the rear half.

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

See Hemaris comparison to help distinguish the next three species.

Hemaris gracilis WO, Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing. This day-flying moth is less common and has not been recorded in Jackson County, but it may be present.

Hemaris thysbe WO, Hummingbird Clearwing. 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 long feeding tube.

Hemaris diffinis WO, Snowberry Clearwing Bumblebee Moth. Adults mimic bumblebees and are quite variable. Wings amostly clear, with dark brown to brownish-orange veins, bases and edges. Thorax golden-brown to dark greenish-brown. Abdomen tends to be dark (black) with 1-2 yellow segments before tip.

Philampelini tribe:

Eumorpha achemon JS/Liberty, Achemon Sphinx. Larvae get large and feed on grape vines and Virginia creeper. Note the differences between this moth and the Pandorus Sphinx.

Eumorpha fasciatus WO/Bay, Banded Sphinx. The upperside is dark pinkish brown. Forewing has lighter brown band along costa, and sharp pinkish white bands and streaks. Primrose-willow, Ludwigia (water primrose), other plants in the evening primrose family.

Eumorpha intermedia WO, Intermediate Sphinx. The Intermediate Sphinx Moth, (Eumorpha intermedia), (Wing span: 3 9/16 - 3 7/8 inches (9 - 9.8 cm)), flies in lower austral and subtropical lowlands in North Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and South Texas.

Eumorpha pandorus WO/Bay, Pandorus Sphinx
If you have Grape or Virginia Creeper nearby, then you probably have this species. I often get asked to identify larvae from areas not previously reported.

Macroglossini tribe:

Amphion floridensis WO/Bay, Nessus Sphinix. Widely distributed day-flier. If you have Virginia Creeper, you probably have the Nessus Sphinx. Two bright, distinct, narrow yellow bands are often visible on the abdomen.

Cautethia grotei Liberty, Grote's Sphinx. This species is rarely recorded in the U.S., but there are sightings in the east from Florida, South Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Darapsa choerilus WO/Liberty, Azalea Sphinx. The lower wings: solid brownish-orange, matching the body colour. You will often see this species listed as Darapsa pholus, especially in older literature.

Darapsa myron WO/liberty/Bay, Virginia Creeper Sphinx or Grapevine Sphinx.
If you have the foodplants indicated in the common names, you probably have this species nearby. The lower wings are orange.

Darapsa versicolor WO/liberty, Hydrangea Sphinx. If you have hydrangea growing near a stream, then you might have the Hydrangea Sphinx.

Deidamia inscriptum WO, Lettered Sphinx. Forewing outer margin deeply scalloped. Upperside light brown with dark brown markings. Small black and white spot near tip. Grape (Vitis), ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus) all serve as larval hosts.

Hyles lineata WO/Bay, White-lined Sphinx. This species has strong migrating tendancies from much further south. There are records from New Hampshire and Maine.

Proserpinus guarae WO, the Proud Sphinx. The rare and possibly endangered Proud Sphinx flies from Texas and Louisiana east to northern Florida, north to Alabama, Missouri, northern Georgia, and South Carolina. slight possibility

Sphecodina abbottii WO, the Abbott's Sphinx
This moth is very much under reported across the United States. It is a rapid day flier so is probably not in too many collections. Grape is a popular larval host.

Xylophanes tersa WO/Bay, the Tersa Sphinx. This moth is much more common to the south. It is a strong migrant, however, and is probably well established in Jackson County.

Agrious cingulata, Panama City, Bay County, Florida,
October 5, 2008, courtesy of Pam Overmyer.

Agrious cingulata, Panama City, Bay County, Florida,
October 5, 2008, courtesy of Pam Overmyer.

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Bay County, Florida, and Nearby Counties: Gulf and Liberty Sphingidae

Sphinginae subfamily

Sphingini tribe:

Agrius cingulata, PO/Bay/Gulf Pink-spotted Hawk Moth Strong migrant. Adults nectar from deep-throated flowers including moonflower (Calonyction aculeatum), morning glory (Convolvulus), honey suckle (Lonicera), petunia (Petunia species).

Ceratomia amyntor WO, Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx. Forewing upperside brown with dark brown and white markings including white costal area near wing base, dark streaks along veins, and white spot in cell. Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), cherry (Prunus).

Ceratomia undulosa WO, Waved Sphinx. Forewing upperside pale brownish gray with wavy black and white lines and a black-outlined white cell spot. Hindwing upperside gray with diffuse darker bands.

Dolba hyloeus WO, Pawpaw Sphinx. The upperside of the forewing is dark brown with a dusting of white scales. Some moths have patches of reddish or yellowish brown on the wings.

Isoparce cupressi WO, the Cypress or Baldcypress Sphinx Isoparce cupressi, the rare Cypress Sphinx, flies in Cypress swamps in Georgia (specimen type locality), and from Maryland to Texas. It has been reported in Mexico.

Lapara coniferarum WO, Southern Pine Sphinx. Forewing upperside gray with two (sometimes one or three) black dashes near wing center; other markings are usually diffuse. Hindwing upperside uniform brown-gray. If you've got pines, this species is likely present.

Lapara phaeobrachycerous WO., Forewing upperside charcoal gray to brownish gray with white scales along curving postmedial line and aprominent black dash (sometimes two) near wing center. Hindwing upperside uniform charcoal gray to brownish gray with no white scales or markings.

Manduca jasminearum WO/Liberty, Ash Sphinx. Forewing upperside gray to grayish brown with black line running from middle of costa to middle of outer margin; line may be broken near margin. Splash of brown around the cell spot.

Manduca quinquemaculatus WO, Five-spotted Hawkmoth. I suspect if you grow tomatoes, you are likely to encounter Manduca quinquemaculata.

Manduca rustica WO/Bay, Rustic Sphinx. Look for three large yellow spots. Forewing upperside yellowish brown to deep chocolate brown with dusting of white scales & zigzagged black and white lines.

Manduca sexta WO, Carolina Sphinx.If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered Manduca sexta in the larval stage. Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant.

Paratrea plebeja WO, Plebeian Sphinx. The upperside of forewing gray with indistinct black and white markings. Series of black dashes from the base to the tip, and a small white cell spot.

Sphinx franckii WO/Liberty, Franck's Sphinx Moth. Forewing costal half grey, but posterior portion is distinctive warm yellowish-brown; boundary between these two areas marked with series of dark diagonal streaks. Similar to S. kalmiae but lacks dark bar along fw inner margin.

Sphinx gordius WO, the Apple Sphinx The upperside of the forewing ranges from brown with black borders through brownish gray with paler borders to pale gray with no borders.

Sphinx kalmiae WO/Liberty, Laurel Sphinx Lower forewings predominantly brownish-yellow with fairly wide dark bar along inner margin. At rest wings hug body, giving the moth a long slender look.

Smerinthini Tribe:

Amorpha juglandis WO/Liberty, Walnut Sphinx. Adults highly variable; sometimes wings of an individual may be all one color or may have several colors, ranging from pale to dark brown, and may have a white or pink tinge. Patterns range from faint to pronounced. Female is different.

Pachysphinx modesta WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx They are common on Prince Edward Island in eastern Canada and the range extends into Florida.

Paonias astylus WO/Liberty, the Huckleberry Sphinx Paonias astylus flies from March-September in Florida and from April-September in Louisiana. There is one brood northward from June-August. This appears to be an uncommon species.

Paonias excaecata WO, the Blinded Sphinx Named for the dull grey-blue spot (minus dark pupil) in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution in eastern United States. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island.

Paonias myops WO/Liberty, Small-eyed Sphinx. Named for small hindwing eye-spot, this moth has wide distribution & is probably common in this area. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island.

Smerinthus jamaicensis WO, the Twin-spotted Sphinx This moth is widely distributed and fairly common. Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida.

Macroglossinae subfamily

Dilophonotini tribe:

Aellopos titan WO, Titan Sphinx. possible stray Body dark brown with wide white stripe across abdomen. Wings dark brown. Upperside of the hindwing has pale patches along the costa and inner margin.

Enyo lugubris, Mournful Sphinx, WO. Body & wings dark brown. Forewing has alarge black patch covering most of outer half of wing. Pale tan cell spot (dark inner pupil), and fairly straight median line to inside of cell spot.

Erinnyis alope WO, Alope Sphinx. The upperside of the forewing is dark brown with short yellowish streaks on the forward half and wavy yellowish bands on the rear half.

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

Hemaris gracilis WO, Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing. This day-flying moth is less common and has not been recorded in Jackson County, but it may be present.

Hemaris thysbe WO, Hummingbird Clearwing. 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 long feeding tube.

Hemaris diffinis WO, Snowberry Clearwing Bumblebee Moth. Adults mimic bumblebees and are quite variable. Wings amostly clear, with dark brown to brownish-orange veins, bases and edges. Thorax golden-brown to dark greenish-brown. Abdomen tends to be dark (black) with 1-2 yellow segments before tip.

Philampelini tribe:

Eumorpha achemon JS/Liberty, Achemon Sphinx. Larvae get large and feed on grape vines and Virginia creeper. Note the differences between this moth and the Pandorus Sphinx.

Eumorpha fasciatus WO/Bay, Banded Sphinx. The upperside is dark pinkish brown. Forewing has lighter brown band along costa, and sharp pinkish white bands and streaks. Primrose-willow, Ludwigia (water primrose), other plants in the evening primrose family.

Eumorpha intermedia WO, Intermediate Sphinx. The Intermediate Sphinx Moth, (Eumorpha intermedia), (Wing span: 3 9/16 - 3 7/8 inches (9 - 9.8 cm)), flies in lower austral and subtropical lowlands in North Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and South Texas.

Eumorpha pandorus WO/Bay, Pandorus Sphinx If you have Grape or Virginia Creeper nearby, then you probably have this species. I often get asked to identify larvae from areas not previously reported.

Macroglossini tribe:

Amphion floridensis WO/Bay, Nessus Sphinix. Widely distributed day-flier. If you have Virginia Creeper, you probably have the Nessus Sphinx. Two bright, distinct, narrow yellow bands are often visible on the abdomen.

Cautethia grotei Liberty, Grote's Sphinx. This species is rarely recorded in the U.S., but there are sightings in the east from Florida, South Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Darapsa choerilus WO/Liberty, Azalea Sphinx. The lower wings: solid brownish-orange, matching the body colour. You will often see this species listed as Darapsa pholus, especially in older literature.

Darapsa myron WO/liberty/Bay, Virginia Creeper Sphinx or Grapevine Sphinx. If you have the foodplants indicated in the common names, you probably have this species nearby. The lower wings are orange.

Darapsa versicolor WO/liberty, Hydrangea Sphinx. If you have hydrangea growing near a stream, then you might have the Hydrangea Sphinx.

Deidamia inscriptum WO, Lettered Sphinx. Forewing outer margin deeply scalloped. Upperside light brown with dark brown markings. Small black and white spot near tip. Grape (Vitis), ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus) all serve as larval hosts.

Hyles lineata WO/Bay, White-lined Sphinx. This species has strong migrating tendancies from much further south. There are records from New Hampshire and Maine.

Proserpinus guarae WO, the Proud Sphinx. The rare and possibly endangered Proud Sphinx flies from Texas and Louisiana east to northern Florida, north to Alabama, Missouri, northern Georgia, and South Carolina. slight possibility

Sphecodina abbottii WO, the Abbott's Sphinx This moth is very much under reported across the United States. It is a rapid day flier so is probably not in too many collections. Grape is a popular larval host.

Xylophanes tersa WO/Bay, the Tersa Sphinx. This moth is much more common to the south. It is a strong migrant, however, and is probably well established in Jackson County.

Bay County, Florida, and Nearby Counties:
Gulf and Liberty
Sphingidae

Isoparce cupressi WO, the Cypress or Baldcypress Sphinx
Isoparce cupressi, the rare Cypress Sphinx, flies in Cypress swamps in Georgia (specimen type locality), and from Maryland to Texas. It has been reported in Mexico.

Sphinx gordius WO, the Apple Sphinx
The upperside of the forewing ranges from brown with black borders through brownish gray with paler borders to pale gray with no borders.

Sphinx kalmiae WO/Liberty, Laurel Sphinx
Lower forewings predominantly brownish-yellow with fairly wide dark bar along inner margin. At rest wings hug body, giving the moth a long slender look.

Pachysphinx modesta WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx
They are common on Prince Edward Island in eastern Canada and the range extends into Florida.

Paonias astylus WO/Liberty, the Huckleberry Sphinx
Paonias astylus flies from March-September in Florida and from April-September in Louisiana. There is one brood northward from June-August. This appears to be an uncommon species.

Paonias excaecata WO, the Blinded Sphinx
Named for the dull grey-blue spot (minus dark pupil) in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution in eastern United States. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island.

Smerinthus jamaicensis WO, the Twin-spotted Sphinx
This moth is widely distributed and fairly common.
Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida.

Eumorpha pandorus WO/Bay, Pandorus Sphinx
If you have Grape or Virginia Creeper nearby, then you probably have this species. I often get asked to identify larvae from areas not previously reported.

Darapsa myron WO/liberty/Bay, Virginia Creeper Sphinx or Grapevine Sphinx.
If you have the foodplants indicated in the common names, you probably have this species nearby. The lower wings are orange.

Sphecodina abbottii WO, the Abbott's Sphinx
This moth is very much under reported across the United States. It is a rapid day flier so is probably not in too many collections. Grape is a popular larval host.