Yakima County

Sphingidae

Seventeen Sphingidae species are listed for Washington. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Yakima. 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 your county, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present. A "USGS" indicates the moth is reported in USGS 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 reported in Yakima and larvae feed on tomatoes and go by the common name of "Tomato Hornworms".

Sphinx chersis WO, 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. It is questionable for Yakima.

Sphinx drupiferarum USGS, the Wild Cherry Sphinx

This species is reported in Yakima.
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 USGS, 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 probably quite common in Yakima. 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.

If you've got willows or poplars nearby, then you probably have occidentalis in your immediate area.

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 USGS, 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 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, which it replaces in WA. S. ophthalmica has smoother scalloping of the fw outer margin.

Macroglossinae subfamily


Dilophonotini tribe

Hemaris thetis USGS, the Thetis Clearwing

Hemaris thetis is a very variable species, but almost always the abdomen sports contrasting black and yellow hairs, the ventral surface being quite black. The legs also tend to be quite dark and there is a black mask running across the eye and along the sides of the thorax.

Macroglossini tribe

Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx

This species is not officially reported from Yakima County, but if you have Gallium or Epilobium, you probably have populations of this species.

Hyles lineata USGS, the White-lined Sphinx

Dave McNeese reports this species. 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 USGS, Clark's Sphinx

This day flier, April-June, prefering oak woodland and pine-oak woodland in foothills, is reported in Yakima County. Moths nectar at a variety of flowers in the afternoon.

Proserpinus flavofasciata WO, the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx
This species is not officially reported from Yakima, but it is found to the north, east and south and may be present. It nectars during the day in meadows near coniferous forests.

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.

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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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