Natrona County, Wyoming
Sphingidae

Sphinginae subfamily

Sphingini Tribe: Ceratomia undulosa WO, the Waved Sphinx 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 hindwing is gray with diffuse darker bands. Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx The costal area in the basal and median areas of the forewing is light grey. This colour also appears in the terminal area. The rest of the wing is dark slatey grey. Sphinx luscitiosa WO, the Canadian Sphinx or Clemen's Sphinx: The upperside of the forewing is yellowish gray in males and pale gray with a faint yellow tint in females. In both sexes, the dark border on the outer margin widens as it approaches the inner margin. The upperside of the hindwing is deep yellow in males, pale yellow in females; both with a wide black border. 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 WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx. The forewing is grey brown with diffuse lines. The hindwing is bergundy with dark blue to black markings near the anal angle. Pachysphinx occidentalis WO, the Big Poplar Sphinx This one is quite similar to Pachysphinx modesta, with modesta being smaller and darker. Forewing lines are more distinct in P. occidentalis as compared to P. modesta. There may be naturally occuring hybrids in Laramie. 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 WO, the Small-eyed Sphinx This small species is widespread and common and is likely present. This species ranges across North America. The hindwings have a small blue eyespot ringed with black on a yellow background. Smerinthus cerisyi WO, 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. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini Tribe Hemaris diffinis DW/WO, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth This moth is widespread and is present at least in the northeastern part of Wyoming. It may fly throughout the state. I am pretty sure the images sent to me by Dwaine Wagoner (bottom of page) are Hemaris diffinis and Hemaris senta. 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. Hemaris senta WO/DW, the Rocky Mountain Clearwing, There is probably a single brood of this montane species from May-August. The moth is seen along streamsides and in meadows in mountainous areas. I am pretty sure the images sent to me by Dwaine Wagoner (bottom of page) are Hemaris diffinis and Hemaris senta. Macroglossini Tribe Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This forewing is dark brown with a slightly irregular cream-coloured transverse line. The outer margin is grey. There is a bright pink band on the hindwing. Hyles lineata SH, the White-lined Sphinx This species is very widespread. 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. Hyles lineata, Casper, August 12, 2007, Scott Herden. Proserpinus flavofasciata WO, the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx. The upperside of the forewing is medium to dark brown with a faint to distinct white median band. The upperside of the hindwing is dark brown with a wide orange median band which may not reach the inner margin. The moth mimics a bumblebee. Proserpinus juanita WO/DW, 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. Proserpinus juanita larva, Casper, July 23, 2009, courtesy of Dwaine Wagoner.