Sphinginae subfamily
Sphingini tribe:
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This moth is a strong flier with strong migration tendencies and is
frequently encountered out of its more normal southerly range,
although it may breed in South Carolina.
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Ceratomia amyntor *, the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx
This moth is officially recorded in Essex on U.S.G.S. site, and it
has been taken in eastern Maine and eastern New
Hampshire and in much of Connecticut.
Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and cherry (Prunus). |
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If you have catalpa trees nearby, you are likely to encounter
this sphinx.
I saw them in great numbers in New Jersey. The larvae feed in large groups and are much more
spectacular than the moths.
Catalpa is the larval host. |
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This moth is not officially recorded in Clarendon, but it has been
observed to the north, west and south.
I even see this one on Prince Edward Island in eastern Canada.
It is named for the wavy lines on the forewings. |
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This moth is a strong flier with strong migration tendencies and is
sometimes encountered out of its more normal southerly range. It
would be a rare stray into South Carolina.
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Larve are not limited to pawpaw.
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This species is widely distributed in South Carolina.
If you've got pines, this species is likely present. |
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Although ash is the popular larval foodplant, lilac and elm are also used. This species seems more common along
the coast from Connecticut to Florida, but it has been seen in western North Carolina. |
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This species is not officially recorded in Pickens, but I suspect if you grow tomatoes you have encountered it.
Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant. |
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This species has forewings patterned much like Dolba hyloeus,
but Manduca rustica is much larger and more likely to be
spotted in Clarendon.
Moonflowers and petunias are favourite nectar sources.
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If you grow tomatoes you have probably encountered this species. They come readily to lights.
Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant. |
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Although not officially reported in Pickens County, I feel it is
likely present.
It flies both in southwestern North Carolina and Northwestern Georgia.
It could easily be confused
with Ceratomia catalpae.
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This species is confirmed but may not be common. We have them on
P.E.I., but I do not see them nearly as frequently
as I see the other Sphingidae. |
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This species is confirmed in Pickens. I have taken them on P.E.I., Canada, and reared them on
lilac. At rest the hindwings are usually completely covered.
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Smerinthini Tribe:
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This is the first Sphinx species I reared as a boy in New Jersey.
See the file for the female; she is different.
larvae feed upon Walnut and butternut (Juglans), hickory (Carya), alder (Alnus), beech (Fagus), hazelnut (Corylus),
and hop-hornbeam (Ostrya). |
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Named for the dull grey-blue spot in the hindwing, this moth has a
wide distribution and is
probably common in Pickens.
I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported
as far south as Florida. |
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Named for the small eye-spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is
probably common in Pickens.
I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida.
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This moth is widely distributed and fairly common.
It is confirmed for Pickens and in nearby S.C. counties. |
Macroglossinae subfamily
Dilophonotini tribe:
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This moth is much more common in the deep south.
Larvae probably feed on Vitus tiliifolia and other members of the
Vitaceae family: Vitis, Cissus, Ampelopsis.
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Hemaris thysbe *, the Hummingbird Clearwing
This interesting day flier is confirmed for Pickens.
They are widely distributed in the east from P.E.I. to Florida. |
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Hemaris diffinis *, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth
This moth is widely distributed and is confirmed for Pickens.
This moth flies during the day and frequently nectars at flowers. |
Philampelini tribe:
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This moth is fairly often reported
along the coast from southern New Jersey
to central Maine.
Note the differences between this moth and the Pandorus Sphinx. |
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If you have Grape or Virginia Creeper nearby, then you probably have this species.
I often get asked to identify larvae from areas where they have not previously been reported. |
Macroglossini tribe:
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This species is probably much more widely distributed than is
indicated. As a (rapid) day flier it would not be readily collected.
If you have Virginia Creeper, you
probably have the Nessus Sphinx. Two bright, distinct, narrow yellow bands are often visible on the
abdomen.
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You will often see this species listed as Darapsa pholus,
especially in older literature.
It is widespread in its distribution. I have reared them on Prince Edward Island
from locally caught females.
Pupae tend to be very lively. |
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Darapsa myron *, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx
It is widely reported as far north as southern Maine. If you have the
foodplants indicated in the common names, you probably have this
species nearby. |
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If you have hydrangea growing near a stream, then you may have the
Hydrangea Sphinx. It has not been widely reported, however, and
probably is uncommon or not present.
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I do not know the origin of the species name choice, but "inscripta"
may have been chosen for the parallel "lines" on the forewings,
suggesting lines of script.
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This species is widespread in the United States, and people regularly report finding larvae in their
gardens. The species also migrates, and sometimes there are population explosions. |
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This moth is very much under reported. It is a rapid day flier so is
probably not in too many collections. Grape is a popular larval host.
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I took one as a boy in New Jersey, but they are much more common in
the southern states. People often find larvae in their gardens.
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