Crook County, Oregon

Sphinginae subfamily

Sphingini tribe: Manduca quinquemaculatus WO, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This species is present (reported) and larvae feed on tomatoes and go by the common name of "Tomato Hornworms". 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 of which reaches the wing tip. Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx Although not reported from Crook County, I suspect it is present. I only see them occasionally on P.E.I. despite visiting lights frequently. Sphinx perelegans WO, 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 sequoiae WO, the Sequoiae Sphinx Adults fly as a single brood in the desert and in pinyon-juniper woodland from May to August. 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 is unlikely in Crook County (generally more easterly). 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 Crook County. 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 WO, 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 cerisyi WO, the Cerisyi's Sphinx If you have willows and poplars nearby, you've probably got populations of the Cerisyi's Sphinx. The hindwings are quite striking. 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 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. Macroglossini tribe Arctonotus lucidus WO, the Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear Sphinx This species is not recorded in Crooks County, but may be present in the southeast. It 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 Crook County, but if you have Gallium or Epilobium, you might have populations of this species, but it is doubtful, generally more north easterly. Hyles lineata WO, the White-lined Sphinx 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 JDI, Clark's Sphinx This species is not reported from Crook County, but this day flier, April-June, prefering oak woodland and pine-oak woodland in foothills, is probably present. Moths nectar at a variety of flowers in the afternoon. Proserpinus clarkiae, Big Prairie Summit, Ochocho National Forest, June 2011, courtesy of J. Donald Imbrie. Proserpinus flavofasciata WO, the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx This day flier is not officially reported from Crook County and is questionable. It flies in meadows near coniferous forests.