Metcalfe County, Kentucky
Sphingidae

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Derek Bridgehouse who sent data and images of Sphinx franckii and Eumorpha pandorus from Center, Metcalfe County, Kentucky, August 2, 2010, sent November 27, 2010. Derek (DB) has also sent collecting data for many other species.

Forty-two Sphingidae species are listed for Kentucky on the U.S.G.S. website (now BAMONA). Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Metcalfe County (Two: Rustic sphinx (Manduca rustica) and Huckleberry sphinx (Paonias astylus) are reported on U.S.G.S. as of November 27, 2010). I have added many which I think you are likely to encounter.

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 Metcalfe County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present or might be present. 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.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Agrius cingulata, WO, as an adult stray/DB, Pink-spotted hawkmoth: This species is a strong migrant and adults nectar from deep-throated flowers including moonflower (Calonyction aculeatum), morning glory (Convolvulus), honey suckle (Lonicera) and petunia (Petunia species). Agrius cingulata, Metcalfe County, Kentucky, July 17, 2013, Derek Bridgehouse Ceratomia amyntor WO, the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx: The upperside of the forewing is brown with dark brown and white markings including a white costal area near the wing base, dark streaks along the veins, and a white spot in the cell. Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and cherry (Prunus). Ceratomia catalpae WO/DB, 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 catalpae, July 13, 2016, Derek Bridgehouse Ceratomia hageni WO/DB, the Hagen's Sphinx or Osage Orange Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is gray with a green tint and has dark indistinct wavy lines, and pale gray patches at the wing tip and along the costa. Ceratomia hageni, July 12, 2010, courtesy of Derek Bridgehouse. Ceratomia hageni, June 12, 2016, courtesy of Derek bridgehouse Ceratomia undulosa WO/DB, the Waved Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is pale brownish gray with wavy black and white lines and a black-outlined white cell spot. The upperside of the hindwing is gray with diffuse darker bands. Dolba hyloeus WO/DB, the 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. Dolba hyloeus, Center, July 18, 2009, courtesy of Derek Bridgehouse. Lapara bombycoides WO/DB, the Northern Pine Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is gray with heavy black bands. The upperside of the hindwing is brownish gray with no markings. If you have pines, you probably have this species. It also flies on P.E.I. Lapara bombycoides, Center, Metcalfe Co., 18-July-2009, Derek Bridgehouse Lapara coniferarum WO/DB, the Southern Pine Sphinx. The upperside is of the forewing is gray with two (sometimes one or three) black dashes near the wing center; other markings are usually diffuse. The upperside of the hindwing is a uniform brown-gray. If you've got pines, this species is probably present. Lapara coniferarum, Center, July 18, 2009, courtesy of Derek Bridgehouse. Lintneria eremitus WO/DB the Hermit Sphinx. The upperside of the forewing is gray-brown with wavy lines, black dashes, and one or two small white spots near the center of the costa. The upperside of the hindwing is black with two white bands and a triangular black patch at the base. Note the golden hair on the thorax. Lintneria eremitus, Center, Metcalfe Co., 21-July-2011, Derek Bridgehouse Manduca jasminearum WO/DB, the Ash Sphinx The upperside of forewing is gray to grayish brown with a black line running from the middle of the costa to the middle of the outer margin; the line may be broken near the margin. There is a splash of brown around the cell spot. Manduca jasminearum, July 23, 2011, courtesy of Derek Bridgehouse. Manduca quinquemaculatus WO/DB, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth I suspect if you grow tomatoes, you are likely to encounter Manduca quinquemaculata. Manduca quinquemaculatus, July 12, 2009; July 27, 2010, courtesy of Derek Bridgehouse. Manduca rustica USGS, the Rustic Sphinx Look for three large yellow spots on each side of the abdomen. The upperside of the forewing is yellowish brown to deep chocolate brown with a dusting of white scales and zigzagged black and white lines. Manduca sexta WO/DB, the 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. Manduca sexta, Center, Metcalfe Co., 27-June-2010, Derek Bridgehouse Paratrea plebeja WO/DB, the Plebeian Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is gray with indistinct black and white markings. There is a series of black dashes from the base to the tip, and a small white cell spot. Paratrea plebeja, Center, Metcalfe Co., 11-June-2014, Derek Bridgehouse Sphinx canadensis WO/DB, Sphinx canadensis, the Canadian Sphinx, is not common, and is not often reported anywhere, but it should be present in Metcalfe County. Larval hosts are white ash (Fraxinus americana) and blueberry (Vaccinium). Sphinx canadensis, August 12, 2016, Derek Bridgehouse Sphinx chersis WO, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen. Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx We have them on P.E.I., but I do not see them nearly as frequently as I see the other Sphingidae. Sphinx franckii DB, Franck's Sphinx Moth This species is not widely reported anywhere. Similar to S. kalmiae but lacks the dark bar along the forewing inner margin. The upper half of the forewing is grey. Sphinx franckii, Center, August 2, 2010, courtesy of Derek Bridgehouse. Sphinx gordius WO, the Apple Sphinx Note the pm line, absent in Sphinx poecila which flies more to the north. The terminal area, especially near the anal angle, is much darker than in S. poecila. Sphinx kalmiae WO/DB, the Laurel Sphinx The lower forewings are predominantly brownish-yellow with a fairly wide dark bar along the inner margin. At rest the wings hug the body, giving the moth a long slender look. Sphinx kalmiae, July 12, 2010, courtesy of Derek Bridgehouse. Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis WO/DB, the Walnut Sphinx. The adults are also 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. See the file for the female; she is different. Amorpha juglandis, Center, April 10, 2010, courtesy of Derek Bridgehouse. Pachysphinx modesta WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx This moth has a large, heavy body, and females can be remarkably plump. Paonias astylus USGS, the Huckleberry Sphinx. Both sexes rest with wings parallel to the resting surface, with the upper lobes of the hindwings protruding above the forewings. The lower abdomen of the male arcs upward toward the head, while the abdomen of the female hangs strait down on a vertical surface. Paonias excaecata WO/DB, Blinded Sphinx. Named for the dull grey-blue spot (minus dark pupil) in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution in the eastern United States. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Paonias excaecata, 12/June/2016, Derek Bridgehouse Paonias myops WO/DB, Small-eyed Sphinx. Named for the small eye-spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Metcalfe County. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Paonias myops, 24/May/2016, Derek Bridgehouse Smerinthus jamaicensis WO/DB, Twin-spotted Sphinx . This moth is widely distributed and fairly common. Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida. Smerinthus jamaicensis, 12/June/2016, Derek Bridgehouse Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: See Hemaris comparison to help distinguish the next two species. Hemaris thysbe WO, the Hummingbird Clearwing It is 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 a long feeding tube. Hemaris diffinis WO/DB, Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth. Adults mimic bumblebees and are quite variable. The wings are basically clear, with dark brown to brownish-orange veins, bases and edges. The thorax is golden-brown to dark greenish-brown. The abdomen tends to be dark (black) with 1-2 yellow segments before the tip. Hemaris diffinis, July 1, 2016, courtesy of Derek Bridgehouse. Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon WO, the 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, generally more westerly, the Banded Sphinx/Lesser Vine Sphinx. The upperside of the moth is dark pinkish brown. Each forewing has a lighter brown band along the costa, and sharp pinkish white bands and streaks. Larvae feed upon primrose-willow, Ludwigia (water primrose) and other plants in the evening primrose family. Eumorpha pandorus DB, the 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. Eumorpha pandorus, Center, August 2, 2010, 37'07N 82'23W, courtesy of Derek Bridgehouse. Macroglossini tribe: Amphion floridensis WO/DB, the Nessus Sphinix. This day flier is widely distributed. If you have Virginia Creeper, you probably have the Nessus Sphinx. Two bright, distinct, narrow yellow bands are often visible on the abdomen. Amphion floridensis, Center, July 13, 2010, 37'07N 82'23W, courtesy of Derek Bridgehouse. Darapsa choerilus WO/DB, the Azalea Sphinx The lower wings of this hawkmoth are a solid brownish-orange, matching the body colour. You will often see this species listed as Darapsa pholus, especially in older literature. Darapsa choerilus, Center, July 27, 1999, 37'07N 82'23W, courtesy of Derek Bridgehouse. Darapsa myron WO/DB, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx If you have the foodplants indicated in the common names, you probably have this species nearby. The lower wings are orange. Darapsa myron, July 13, 2016; two color forms, Derek Bridgehouse Darapsa versicolor WO, the Hydrangea Sphinx If you have hydrangea growing near a stream, then you might have the Hydrangea Sphinx. Deidamia inscriptum WO/DB, the Lettered Sphinx. The moth's outer margin of the forewing is deeply scalloped. The upperside is light brown with dark brown markings. There is a small black and white spot near the tip. Grape (Vitis), ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus) all serve as larval hosts. Deidamia inscriptum, Center, May 22, 2010, courtesy of derek Bridgehouse. Hyles lineata WO/DB, the White-lined Sphinx This species has strong migrating tendancies from much further south. There are records from New Hampshire and Maine. Hyles lineata, Center, August 28, 2009, courtesy of Derek Bridgehouse. Sphecodina abbottii WO/DB, 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. Sphecodina abbottii, June 11, 2009, Derek Bridgehouse Xylophanes tersa WO/DB, the Tersa Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is pale brown with lavender-gray at the base and has dark brown lengthwise lines throughout. The upperside of the hindwing is dark brown with a band of whitish, wedge-shaped marks. Xylophanes tersa, September 28, 2010, courtesy of Derek Bridgehouse.

Eumorpha pandorus, Center, Metcalfe County, Kentucky,
August 2, 2010, 37'07N 82'23W, courtesy of Derek Bridgehouse.

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