Hamilton County, Ohio
Sphingidae

Paonias myops male, Cincinnati, Ohio, July 22, 2001, courtesy of Lynn Goff.

This site has been created by Bill Oehlke at oehlkew@islandtelecom.com
Comments, suggestions and/or additional information/sightings are welcomed by Bill.

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Lynn Goff of Cincinnati, Ohio. Lynn recently sent me the images of the "mystery moth", Paonias myops, top and bottom of this page.

Thirty-three Sphingidae species are listed for Ohio on the U.S.G.S. website. Nine additional species are reported by Rick Ruggles and/or Eric Metzler.

Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Hamilton County (only one Hagen's sphinx, Ceratomia hageni is reported on U.S.G.S.). 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 (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present or might be present.

A "USGS" indicates the moth is reported on the USGS website 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.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Agrius cingulata, USGS Pink-spotted hawkmoth, stray This moth is a very strong flier, but would only make its way to Hamilton County as a rare stray. Ceratomia amyntor WO, the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx This moth is not officially recorded in Hamilton, but I suspect it is present. Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and cherry (Prunus). Ceratomia catalpae WO, the Catalpa Sphinx This species is not officially recorded for Hamilton. It is recorded to the north, east, south and west, however. The larvae feed in large groups and are much more spectacular than the moths. Catalpa is the larval host. Ceratomia hageni USGS, Hagen's Sphinx or Osage Orange Sphinx This species is officially recorded for Hamilton. Larvae feed on osage orange (Maclura pomifera). Ceratomia undulosa WO/WO, the Waved Sphinx This moth is not officialy recorded in Hamilton. It is recorded to the north, east, south and west, however. It is named for the wavy lines on the forewings. Dolba hyloeus WO, the Pawpaw Sphinx This moth is not officially recorded in Hamilton. It is reported to the north, east, south and west, however. Lapara bombycoides WO, the Northern Pine Sphinx This moth is not reported from Hamilton County, but if you have pines, you might have this species. It flies on P.E.I. unlikely Lapara coniferarum WO, the Southern Pine Sphinx This moth is not reported from Hamilton County, but it is reported both to the northeast and southwest. If you've got pines, this species is likely present. Manduca jasminearum WO, the Ash Sphinx Manduca jasminearum is not officially recorded in Hamilton County. This species is officially recorded, however, in northern Kentucky, and it is likely present. Manduca quinquemaculata WO, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This species is has not been officially recorded in Hamilton, but if you grow tomatoes, you are likely to encounter it. Manduca rustica WO, the Rustic Sphinx This species is not officially recorded in Hamilton, but it has been taken just to the south in Kentucky. I would not be surprised to get a report. Look for three large yellow spots on each side of the abdomen. Manduca sexta WO, the Carolina Sphinx This species is not officially recorded in Hamilton. If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it, though. Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant. Paratrea plebeja WO, 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. Sphinx canadensis WO, Sphinx canadensis, the Canadian Sphinx, is not common, and is not often reported anywhere, but it might be present in Hamilton County as it is reported from Canada to northern Tennessee. Larval hosts are white ash (Fraxinus americana) and blueberry (Vaccinium). Sphinx chersis WO, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx This species is not officially reported in Hamilton. Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen. Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx This species is not officially reported in Hamilton. We have them on P.E.I., but I do not see them nearly as frequently as I see the other Sphingidae. Sphinx eremitus WO, the Hermit Sphinx This species is not officially confirmed for Hamilton County. Generally it is not widely reported. Larval hosts are various species of beebalm (Monarda), mints (Mentha), bugleweed (Lycopis), and sage (Salvia). Sphinx franckii WO, Franck's Sphinx Moth This species is not officially reported in Hamilton. Generally it is not widely reported anywhere. Similar to S. kalmiae but lacks the dark bar along the fw inner margin. unlikely Sphinx kalmiae WO, the Laurel Sphinx This species is not officially reported in Hamilton. I have taken them on P.E.I., Canada, and reared them on lilac. At rest the hindwings are usually completely covered. Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis WO, the Walnut Sphinx This moth is fairly widely reported to the north, east south and west. This is the first Sphinx species I reared as a boy in New Jersey. See the file for the female; she is different. Pachysphinx modesta WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx This moth is not officially recorded in Hamilton County. It is fond of poplars and willows. They are common on Prince Edward Island. Paonias astylus WO, the Huckleberry Sphinx This appears to be an uncommon species. They are not officially recorded for Hamilton. unlikely 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 and is common in Hamilton County. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Paonias myops LG, the Small-eyed Sphinx Named for the small eye-spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Hamilton County. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Paonias myops, July 22, 2001, Cincinnati, Lynn Goff. 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, with many reports from Kentucky and Michigan. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: Erinnyis ello WO, the Ello Sphinx This species is not reported in Hamilton, but it might make an appearance as a rare stray. Males and females differ. Hemaris thysbe WO, the Hummingbird Clearwing This interesting day flier is not confirmed in Hamilton, but is widely reported to the north, east and west. They are widely distributed in the east from P.E.I. to Florida, from Alabama to Michigan. Hemaris diffinis WO, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth This moth is widespread, but it has not been officially recorded in Hamilton. It has been confirmed in nearby counties and states. Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon WO, the Achemon Sphinx This moth is not officially reported for Hamilton, but has been reported to north, east, south and west. Note the differences between this moth and the Pandorus Sphinx. Eumorpha fasciata WO, the Banded Sphinx This moth is not officially reported for Hamilton, however, the moth is a strong flier and occasionally moths and larvae turn up as very rare strays in northern communities. Eumorpha pandorus WO, the Pandorus Sphinx If you have Grape or Virginia Creeper nearby, then you probably have this species. I often get reports of larvae from outside the reported range. Macroglossini tribe: Amphion floridensis WO, the Nessus Sphinix This day flier is widely distributed. If you have Virginia Creeper, you probably have the Nessus Sphinx. It is reported from Richmond. Two bright, distinct, narrow yellow bands are often visible on the abdomen. Darapsa choerilus WO, the Azalea Sphinx They are common in New Jersey and common here on Prince Edward Island, and they are probably common in Hamilton Co.. You will often see this species listed as Darapsa pholus, especially in older literature. Darapsa myron WO, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx This moth is not recorded on the U.S.G.S. site for Hamilton County, but I strongly suspect its presence. If you have the foodplants indicated in the common names, you probably have this species nearby. Darapsa versicolor WO, the Hydrangea Sphinx If you have hydrangea growing near a stream, then you may have the Hydrangea Sphinx. It has not been reported in Hamilton County, but I suspect it is present, but probably uncommon. unlikely Deidamia inscriptum WO, the Lettered Sphinx This species has not been officially recorded in Hamilton. Grape (Vitis), ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus) all serve as larval hosts. Hyles lineata WO, the White-lined Sphinx This species has strong migrating tendancies from much further south. There are records from New Hampshire, Maine, Michigan, Illinois, etc. 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. I have taken it is Pottersville. Xylophanes tersa WO, the Tersa Sphinx This moth is much more common to the south. It is a strong migrant, however. It may stray to Hamilton County.

Paonias myops male, Cincinnati, Ohio, July 22, 2001, courtesy of Lynn Goff.

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