Deschutes County

Sphingidae

Twenty-three Sphingidae species are listed for Oregon. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Deschutes 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 Deschutes County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present. A USGS indicates the moth is reported on the USGS website 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 quinquemaculatus WO, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth

This species is not reported, but may be present. Larvae feed on tomatoes and go by the common name of "Tomato Hornworms".

Sphinx chersis USGS, 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 Deschutes, I suspect it is present. I only see them occasionally on P.E.I. despite visiting lights frequently.

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 USGS, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx,

This large poplar/willow feeder is reported in Deschutes. They are a heavy bodied species.

Pachysphinx occidentalis USGS, 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 Deschutes.

Paonias excaecata USGS, 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 diffinis WO, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth

This species is not reported from Deschutes, but this day flying moth is widely distributed in Oregon.

Macroglossini tribe

Arctonotus lucidus WO, the Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear Sphinx

This species is not recorded in Deschutes, but may be 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 Deschutes County, but if you have Gallium or Epilobium, you might have populations of this species, but it is doubtful.

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 WO, Clark's Sphinx

This species is not reported from Deschutes 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 flavofasciata WO, the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx Quetionable!

This day flier is not officially reported from Deschutes. It flies in meadows near coniferous forests.



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