Kootenai County, Idaho
Sphingidae

Hyles lineata nectaring on dandelion

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Zana Goulding who sent me sightings of Hyles lineata in Athol, Idaho, August 24, 2005.

Seventeen Sphingidae species are listed on USGS for Idaho. Almost all of the species are reported or anticipated in Kootenai 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 Kootenai 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 (four species: Elegant sphinx, Sphinx perelegans; One-eyed sphinx , Smerinthus cerisyi; Small-eyed sphinx, Paonias myops; Pacific green sphinx, Arctonotus lucidus) 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 quinquemaculata WO, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth
This species is probably present (unreported) and larvae feed on tomatoes and go by the common name of "Tomato Hornworms".

Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx
This species is not reported on the USGS for Kootenai County. I only see them occasionally on P.E.I. despite visiting lights frequently. It should be present.

Sphinx perelegans USGS, the Elegant Sphinx
The upperside of the forewing is dark grey to black with a paler costa and pale area from the base to the wing's centre.
Prefered habitats include montane woodlands and mixed chaparral-type vegetation.

Sphinx vashti WO, 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 modesta WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx,
This large poplar/willow feeder probably flies in Kootenai County. They are a heavy bodied species.

Pachysphinx occidentalis WO, the Big Poplar Sphinx
This one is quite similar to Pachysphinx modesta, with modesta being smaller and darker.
There may be naturally occuring hybrids in Kootenai.

Paonias excaecata WO, the Blinded Sphinx
The grey-blue eyespot of the hindwing gives this species its name. Larvae feed on birches, willows, cherries and oaks.
The outer edge of the forewings is quite scalloped.

Paonias myops USGS, the Small-eyed Sphinx
This small species is probably widespread and common. This species ranges across North America.
The hindwings have a small blue eyespot ringed with black on a yellow background.

Smerinthus opthalmica MPNw
Larvae feed on poplars, aspen and willows. Note different shape of double arced forewing pm line compared to the straighter pm line of cerisyi, directly above. S. ophthalmica has smoother scalloping of the fw outer margin.

Macroglossinae subfamily

Dilophonotini tribe

Hemaris diffinis WO, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth
Although not officially reported from Kootenai, this day flying moth is widely distributed in Idaho.
I suspect I will get reports from Kootenai County.
Hemaris senta WO just to south and east
Macroglossini tribe

Arctonotus lucidus USGS, the Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear Sphinx
The Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear Sphinx tends to be an early spring flier, on the wing in the early evening. It comes to lights at night.

Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx
This species is not officially reported from Kootenai County; however, if you have Gallium or Epilobium, you probably have populations of this species.

Hyles lineata ZG, the White-lined Sphinx
This species is very widespread. It can be seen flying during the day, into the evening and also at night.
The highly variable larvae are often found in people's gardens.

Hyles lineata, Zana Goulding, August 24, 2005, Athol

Proserpinus clarkiae WO, Clark's Sphinx
This day flier is not officially reported from Kootenai County, It flies from April-June, prefering oak woodland and pine-oak woodland in foothills. Moths nectar at a variety of flowers in the afternoon.

Proserpinus flavofasciata WO, the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx
This day flier is not officially reported from Kootenai, but it has been found to the north, east, south and west in meadows near coniferous forests.

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Kootenai County, Idaho Sphingidae

Hyles lineata nectaring on dandelion

Sphinginae subfamily

Sphingini tribe:

Manduca quinquemaculata WO, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This species is probably present (unreported) and larvae feed on tomatoes and go by the common name of "Tomato Hornworms".

Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx This species is not reported on the USGS for Kootenai County. I only see them occasionally on P.E.I. despite visiting lights frequently. It should be present.

Sphinx perelegans USGS, the Elegant SphinxThe upperside of the forewing is dark grey to black with a paler costa and pale area from the base to the wing's centre. Prefered habitats include montane woodlands and mixed chaparral-type vegetation.

Sphinx vashti WO, 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 modesta WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx, This large poplar/willow feeder probably flies in Kootenai County. They are a heavy bodied species.

Pachysphinx occidentalis WO, the Big Poplar Sphinx This one is quite similar to Pachysphinx modesta, with modesta being smaller and darker. There may be naturally occuring hybrids in Kootenai.

Paonias excaecata WO, the Blinded Sphinx The grey-blue eyespot of the hindwing gives this species its name. Larvae feed on birches, willows, cherries and oaks. The outer edge of the forewings is quite scalloped.

Paonias myops USGS, the Small-eyed Sphinx This small species is probably widespread and common. This species ranges across North America. The hindwings have a small blue eyespot ringed with black on a yellow background.

Smerinthus opthalmica MPNw Larvae feed on poplars, aspen and willows. Note different shape of double arced forewing pm line compared to the straighter pm line of cerisyi, directly above. S. ophthalmica has smoother scalloping of the fw outer margin.

Macroglossinae subfamily

Dilophonotini tribe

Hemaris diffinis WO, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth Although not officially reported from Kootenai, this day flying moth is widely distributed in Idaho. I suspect I will get reports from Kootenai County.

Macroglossini tribe

Arctonotus lucidus USGS, the Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear Sphinx The Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear Sphinx tends to be an early spring flier, on the wing in the early evening. It comes to lights at night.

Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This species is not officially reported from Kootenai County; however, if you have Gallium or Epilobium, you probably have populations of this species.

Hyles lineata ZG, the White-lined Sphinx This species is very widespread. It can be seen flying during the day, into the evening and also at night. The highly variable larvae are often found in people's gardens.

Proserpinus clarkiae WO, Clark's Sphinx This day flier is not officially reported from Kootenai County, It flies from April-June, prefering oak woodland and pine-oak woodland in foothills. Moths nectar at a variety of flowers in the afternoon.

Proserpinus flavofasciata WO, the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx This day flier is not officially reported from Kootenai, but it has been found to the north, east, south and west in meadows near coniferous forests.

Kootenai County, Idaho
Sphingidae

Manduca quinquemaculata WO, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth
This species is probably present (unreported) and larvae feed on tomatoes and go by the common name of "Tomato Hornworms".

Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx
This species is not reported on the USGS for Kootenai County. I only see them occasionally on P.E.I. despite visiting lights frequently. It should be present.

Sphinx perelegans USGS, the Elegant Sphinx
The upperside of the forewing is dark grey to black with a paler costa and pale area from the base to the wing's centre.
Prefered habitats include montane woodlands and mixed chaparral-type vegetation.

Sphinx vashti WO, 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 modesta WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx,
This large poplar/willow feeder probably flies in Kootenai County. They are a heavy bodied species.

Pachysphinx occidentalis WO, the Big Poplar Sphinx
This one is quite similar to Pachysphinx modesta, with modesta being smaller and darker.
There may be naturally occuring hybrids in Kootenai.

Paonias excaecata WO, the Blinded Sphinx
The grey-blue eyespot of the hindwing gives this species its name. Larvae feed on birches, willows, cherries and oaks.
The outer edge of the forewings is quite scalloped.

Paonias myops USGS, the Small-eyed Sphinx
This small species is probably widespread and common. This species ranges across North America.
The hindwings have a small blue eyespot ringed with black on a yellow background.

Smerinthus opthalmica MPNw
Larvae feed on poplars, aspen and willows. Note different shape of double arced forewing pm line compared to the straighter pm line of cerisyi, directly above. S. ophthalmica has smoother scalloping of the fw outer margin.

Hemaris diffinis WO, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth
Although not officially reported from Kootenai, this day flying moth is widely distributed in Idaho.
I suspect I will get reports from Kootenai County.

Arctonotus lucidus USGS, the Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear Sphinx
The Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear Sphinx tends to be an early spring flier, on the wing in the early evening. It comes to lights at night.

Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx
This species is not officially reported from Kootenai County; however, if you have Gallium or Epilobium, you probably have populations of this species.

Hyles lineata ZG, the White-lined Sphinx
This species is very widespread. It can be seen flying during the day, into the evening and also at night.
The highly variable larvae are often found in people's gardens.

Proserpinus clarkiae WO, Clark's Sphinx
This day flier is not officially reported from Kootenai County, It flies from April-June, prefering oak woodland and pine-oak woodland in foothills. Moths nectar at a variety of flowers in the afternoon.

Proserpinus flavofasciata WO, the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx
This day flier is not officially reported from Kootenai, but it has been found to the north, east, south and west in meadows near coniferous forests.