Contra Costa County
Sphingidae

Thirty-two Sphingidae species are listed in the USGS for California. Not all of the species are reported by the USGS for Contra Costa. (Four species: Smerinthus cerisyi, Arctonotus lucidus, Proserpinus clarkiae and Hyles lineata are listed by the USGS for Contra Costa County.)

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 Contra Costa County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present.

This page is dedicated to Frank Pucci (FP) and his wife Gail Pucci of Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County, California.

Frank writes, May 29, 2006, "I live in Walnut Creek, Ca., and my wife found an incredible moth on our basil, right next to our tomato plants. She gave me a call at work and I had her catch it.

"I got home from work a little while ago and looked it, at first I was thinking sphinx of some sort, but then I spread its wings.

"It's a Manduca sexta sexta."

Frank was "right on" with his identification (verified by digital image). Thanks to Gail for capturing the moth.

A USGS indicates the moth is reported on the USGS website 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 quinquemaculata WO, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth

This large bodied moth flies in tobacco fields and vegetable gardens (potatoes, tomatoes) and wherever host plants are found.

Manduca sexta FP, the Carolina Sphinx

This species is now recorded in Contra Costa County.

If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it. Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant.

Manduca sexta confirmed by Frank Pucci, Walnut Creek, May 29, 2006.

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 reaching the wing tip. Note grey thorax with narrow black lines.

Sphinx perelegans WO, the Elegant Sphinx

Sphinx perelegans adults fly in montane woodlands and mixed chaparral-type vegetation as a single brood in the north, with adults mainly on the wing in June and July.

It flies from dusk until after midnight. Note dark thorax.

Sphinx sequoiae WO, the Sequoiae Sphinx

This species is not recorded in Contra Costa County.
Adults fly as a single brood in the desert and in pinyon-juniper woodland from May to August.

Smerinthini Tribe:

Pachysphinx occidentalis WO, the Big Poplar Sphinx

This one is quite similar to Pachysphinx modesta, with modesta being smaller and darker.

Moths should be on the wing from June-August.

Smerinthus cerisyi USGS, the Cerisyi's Sphinx or One-eyed Sphinx,

Larvae feed on poplars and willows.

Flight would be from late May-July as a single brood.

Macroglossinae subfamily


Dilophonotini Tribe:

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.

Philampelini Tribe:

Eumorpha achemon WO, the Achemon Sphinx

This moth is not recorded for Contra Costa County, but it should be present wherever grapes are found.

Fight would be from June to August. Larvae feed on grape foliage.

Macroglossini Tribe:

Arctonotus lucidus USGS, the Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear Sphinx

This species is confirmed in Contra Costa County.
It tends to be an late winter-early spring flier, on the wing in the early evening. It comes to lights at night.

Hyles lineata USGS, the White-lined Sphinx

Adults usually fly at dusk, during the night, at dawn, and during the day. Moths nectar at salvia and oviposit on Epilobium cana (California fuchsia) and Hooker's Evening Primrose in LA county.

Proserpinus clarkiae USGS, Clark's Sphinx,

Adults fly in the afternoon from April-June in oak woodland and pine-oak woodland in foothills, nectaring from chia, heartleaf milkweed, golden currant, bluedicks, fairyfans, vetches, thistles, hedgenettles, etc.



This page is brought to you by Bill Oehlke and the WLSS. Please send sightings, preferably with images, to Bill.

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