Grant County, Oregon

Sphingidae

Smerinthus ophthalmica male, Long Creek, Grant County, Oregon,
July 27, 2019, courtesy of James Kreamier.

This page is dedicated to James Kreamier for providing the images of Smerinthus ophthalmica above and below. The strongly curved abdomen is a valid indicator this one is a male.

Smerinthus ophthalmica male, Long Creek, Grant County, Oregon,
July 27, 2019, courtesy of James Kreamier.

Twenty-two Sphingidae species are listed for Oregon on BAMONA as of July 30, 2019. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Grant 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 Grant County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present. A USGS (now BAMONA) 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.

Visit Similar checklists for all US states, all Canadian provinces, Mexico and all Central American and South American Countries.

Visit North American Catocala: Underwing moths.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Proserpinus lucidus Pacific green sphinx Hemaris thetis 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 drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx Although not reported from Grant County, I suspect it is present. I only see them occasionally on P.E.I. despite visiting lights frequently. Sphinx perelegans BAMONA, 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 BAMONA, 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 not reported in Grant County but should be present. They are a heavy bodied species. Pachysphinx occidentalis BAMONA, the Big Poplar Sphinx This one is quite similar to Pachysphinx modesta, with modesta being smaller and darker. They are not reported in Grant County but should be present. 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 BAMONA, 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/JK 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. Possibly ophthamlmica repolaces cerisyi in Grant County. Smerinthus opthalmica, Long Creek, July 27, 2019, James Kreamier Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe Hemaris diffinis USGS, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth This species is reported from Umatilla, and this day flying moth is widely distributed in Oregon. It is probably Hemaris thetis that flies in Oregon. Hemaris thetis BAMONA, 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 Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This species is not officially reported from Grant County, but if you have Gallium or Epilobium, you might have populations of this species, but it is doubtful. Hyles lineata BAMONA, 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 BAMONA, Clark's Sphinx This species is reported from Grant County, 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 This day flier is not officially reported from Grant County, but it may be present in meadows near coniferous forests. Proserpinus lucidus BAMONA, the Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear Sphinx This species is recorded in Grant County. It tends to be an early spring flier, on the wing in the early evening. It comes to lights at night.

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