Northwest Central Texas
Sphingidae

Amorpha juglandis, Big Spring, Howard County, Texas,
June 5, 2014, courtesy of Jay Phinney

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Jay Phinney who sent me the pictures of Amorpha juglandis and Hyles lineata from Big Spring, (Howard County) at the top of this page and immediately below.

Hyles lineata, Big Spring, Howard County, Texas,
May 1, 2014, courtesy of Jay Phinney

Seventy-five Sphingidae species are listed for Texas on the U.S.G.S. (now BAMONA) website. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in the northwest central region. It is hoped that this checklist, with the thumbnails and notes, will help you quickly identify the moths you are likely to encounter.

Please help me develop this list with improved, documented accuracy by sending sightings (species, date, location), preferably with an electronic image, via email to Bill Oehlke.

The night-blooming moon flower will attract many Sphingidae at dusk and into the night.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Agrius cingulata, possible stray Pink-spotted hawkmoth: This species is a strong migrant and adults nectar from deep-throated flowers including moonflower (Calonyction aculeatum), morning glory (Convolvulus), honey suckle (Lonicera) and petunia (Petunia species). Manduca quinquemaculatus USGS, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth I suspect if you grow tomatoes, you are likely to encounter Manduca quinquemaculatus. Manduca sexta possibly, the Carolina Sphinx: If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered Manduca sexta in the larval stage. Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant. Sphinx libocedrus USGS/BD, Incense Cedar Sphinx: Fw upperside pale blue-gray to dark gray with black dash reaching wing tip and white stripe along lower outer margin. Hw upperside black with two diffuse white bands, the upper one being practically non-existent. Note complete black mesial stripe on abdomen. Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis JP, Walnut Sphinx: Hhighly variable; sometimes wings of an individual may be all one color or may have several colors, ranging from pale to dark brown, and may have a white or pink tinge. Patterns range from faint to pronounced. See the file for the female; she is different. Amorpha juglandis, Big Spring, Howard County, Jay Phinney. Pachysphinx modesta USGS, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx They are common on Prince Edward Island, and are a very large bodied sphinx. Macroglossinae subfamily Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon USGS, the Achemon Sphinx: Larvae get large and feed on grape vines and Virginia creeper. Note the differences between this moth and the Pandorus Sphinx. Eumorpha vitis USGS, the Vine Sphinx The upperside of the moth is dark pinkish brown. Each forewing has a lighter brown band along the costa, and sharp pinkish white bands and streaks. The hindwing has a pink patch on the inner margin. Macroglossini tribe: Darapsa myron USGS, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx If you have the foodplants indicated in the common names, you probably have this species nearby. The lower wings are orange. Hyles lineata JP, the White-lined Sphinx This species has strong migrating tendancies from much further south. There are records from New Hampshire and Maine. Hyles lineata, Big Spring, Howard County, May 1, 2014, Jay Phinney Proserpinus juanita USGS, the Juanita Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is pale gray-green with a deep green-brown median area and a white dash at the wing tip. rare

Enjoy some of nature's wonderments, giant silk moth cocoons. These cocoons are for sale winter and fall. Beautiful Saturniidae moths will emerge the following spring and summer. Read Actias luna rearing article. Additional online help available.

Eggs of many North American species are offered during the spring and summer. Occasionally summer Actias luna and summer Antheraea polyphemus cocoons are available. Shipping to US destinations is done from with in the US.

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This page is brought to you by Bill Oehlke and the WLSS. Pages are on space rented from Bizland. If you would like to become a "Patron of the Sphingidae Site", contact Bill.

Please send sightings/images to Bill. I will do my best to respond to requests for identification help.

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I very much appreciate all the many images that have been sent to me, or of which I have been granted permission to copy and post from other websites. All images on this site remain the property of respective photographers.

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Bill Oehlke
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