Sphinginae subfamily
Sphingini tribe:
 |
Agrius cingulata,
WO Pink-spotted hawkmoth,
stray
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). Might be present as a rare stray.
|
 |
Ceratomia amyntor
WO/SB,
the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx
The upperside of the forewing is brown with dark brown and white markings including a white costal area near the wing base, dark streaks along the veins, and a white spot in the cell.
Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and
cherry (Prunus). |
Ceratomia amyntor, July 14, 2007, Scott Boutilier
 |
The upperside of the forewing is pale brownish gray with wavy black and white
lines and a black-outlined white cell spot. |
 |
The upperside of the forewing is gray with heavy black bands.
The upperside of the hindwing is brownish gray with no markings.
If you have pines, you
probably have this species. It also flies on P.E.I.
|
 |
This species is confirmed for Columbia County by Scott Boutilier.
Generally it is not widely reported.
Larval hosts are various species of beebalm (Monarda), mints (Mentha), bugleweed (Lycopis),
and sage (Salvia). |
Lintneria eremitus, July 14, 2007, Scott Boutilier
 |
This large bodied moth flies in tobacco fields and vegetable gardens
(potatoes, tomatoes) and wherever host plants are found.
possibility |
|
Sphinx canadensis
WO,
Sphinx canadensis, the Canadian Sphinx, is not common, and is not
often reported anywhere,
but it has been seen in Sheboygan County.
Larval hosts are white ash (Fraxinus americana) and blueberry
(Vaccinium).
|
 |
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. |
 |
The lower forewings are predominantly brownish-yellow with a
fairly wide dark bar along the inner margin. At rest the wings
hug the body, giving the moth a long slender look.
|
 |
If you have blueberries in the woods, then you probably have the
Poecila Sphinx. They are probably widespread throughout Wisconsin,
but are very much under reported. |
Smerinthini Tribe:
 |
The adults are also highly 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.
See the file for the female; she is different. |
 |
The outer margin of the forewing is quite wavy. There is a dark cell
spot and a dark oblique line mid wing from the costa almost to the
inner margin. Basic ground colour is pinkish brown. Flight would
be June-July. |
 |
Paonias myops
USGS/SB,
the Small-eyed Sphinx
This small species is confirmed by USGS in Columbia County. This
species ranges across North America.
The hindwings have a small blue eyespot ringed with black on a
yellow background.
|
Paonias myops, May 26, 2007, Scott Boutilier
 |
Pachysphinx modesta
WO/SB/CSJ,
the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx,
This large poplar/willow feeder is found in Columbia County.
They are a heavy bodied species.
|
Pachysphinx modesta female, May 18, 2007, Scott Boutilier
Pachysphinx modesta female, July 19, 2012, Colleen S. Jokiel
 |
Smerinthus cerisyi
SB, the Cerisyi's
Sphinx or One-eyed Sphinx,
The fw outer margin is more irregular than in S. jamaicensis. Larvae feed on poplars and willows.
Flight would be from early May-July as a single brood.
|
Smerinthus cerisyi, May 4-5 Scott Boutilier
 |
Smerinthus jamaicensis closely resembles Smerinthus cerisyi, but
jamaicensis is much smaller with larger blue patches on more
vibrant and deeper purple in the lower wings.
|
Smerinthus jamaicenesis, May 26, 2007, Scott Boutilier
Macroglossinae subfamily
Dilophonotini Tribe:
See Hemaris comparison to help distinguish
the next three species.
 |
Hemaris diffinis
WO, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee 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. |
 |
Hemaris gracilis
WO, The Slender Clearwing or Graceful
Clearwing
This day flier is not commonly reported, but it might be present in
Columbia County. Generally it is reported more to the east.
unlikely |
 |
Hemaris thysbe
WO, the Hummingbird Clearwing
It is not difficult to see why many gardeners would mistake an Hemaris thysbe moth for a small hummingbird as it hovers, sipping nectar
from flowers through a long feeding tube. |
Philampelini Tribe:
 |
Adults nectar from flowers of Japanese honeysuckle
(Lonicera japonica), petunia (Petunia hybrida), mock orange
(Philadelphus coronarius), and phlox (Phlox).
Note the differences between this moth and the Pandorus Sphinx. |
 |
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. |
Eumorpha pandoras, July 14, 2007, Scott Boutilier
Macroglossini Tribe:
 |
This day flier is widely distributed. If you have Virginia Creeper,
you might have the Nessus Sphinx. Two bright, distinct, narrow
yellow bands are often visible on the abdomen.
|
 |
They are common in New Jersey and common
here on Prince Edward Island.
You will often see this species listed as Darapsa pholus,
especially in older literature.
|
 |
Darapsa myron
WO, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the
Grapevine Sphinx
It is widely reported in southern Michigan and in southern Ontario.
It may be present, although unlikely.
|
 |
Deidamia inscriptum
SB,
the Lettered Sphinx.
The forewing outer margin of this early spring flier is deeply scalloped.
The upperside is light brown with dark brown markings and
a small black and white spot near wing tip.
The upperside of the hindwing is orange-brown with a dark brown outer
margin and median line.
Males rest with a strong curve to the abdomen.
|
Deidamia inscriptum, May 4-5 Scott Boutilier
 |
Hyles gallii
WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth
or Gallium Sphinx
This species is not reported in Columbia, but it has been recorded
in eastern Wisconsin counties. I suspect it is present.
Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not.
|
 |
Hyles lineata
WO, the White-lined Sphinx
Adults usually fly at dusk, during the night, and at dawn, but they
also fly during the day over a wide variety of open habitats
including deserts, suburbs, and gardens. |
 |
This moth is very much under reported on USGS. It is a
rapid day flier so is probably not in too many collections.
Grape is a popular larval host.
|
Sphecodina abbottii female, May 18, 2007, Scott Boutilier
|
|
