Malheur County

Twenty-three Sphingidae species are listed for Oregon. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Malheur 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 Malheur 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 USGS, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This species is present (reported) and larvae feed on tomatoes and go by the common name of "Tomato Hornworms". Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx Although not reported from Malheur, 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 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 Malheur. 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 Malheur. 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 USGS, 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. Smerinthus ophthalmica, end of May 2005, Malheur NWR, Larry McQueen. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe Hemaris diffinis WO, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth This species is not reported from Malheur, 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 Malheur County. It tends to be an early spring flier, on the wing in the early evening. It comes to lights at night. Hyles lineata USGS, 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 Malheur 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.

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