Sphinginae subfamily
Sphingini tribe:
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This species has not been reported in Fresno County, but may be
there as a very rare stray. The moth is a very
strong flier and is frequently encountered far north of its usual range.
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This large bodied moth flies in tobacco fields and vegetable gardens
(potatoes, tomatoes) and wherever host plants are found. |
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If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it.
Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant. |
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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.
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 | Sphinx dollii (Wing span: 1 3/4 - 2 1/2 inches (4.5 - 6.3 cm)),
flies in arid brushlands and desert foothills from Nevada and
southern California east through Utah,
Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico to Oklahoma and Texas.
(remote possibility in Fresno Co.)
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Forewings, long and slender, are held close to the body when the moth
is at rest. (northern if present)
I only see them occasionally on P.E.I. despite visiting lights
frequently. |
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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. |
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Sphinx sequoiae
WO Questionable, the
Sequoiae Sphinx This species is not recorded in Fresno County.
Adults fly as a single brood in the desert and in pinyon-juniper
woodland from May to August. |
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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.
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Smerinthini Tribe:
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This one is quite similar to Pachysphinx modesta, with modesta
being smaller and darker.
Moths should be on the wing from June-August.
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This small species is not recorded in Fresno County, but it
ranges across North
America and might be present.
The hindwings have a small blue eyespot ringed with black on a yellow
background.
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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.
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Macroglossinae subfamily
Dilophonotini Tribe:
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The abdomen has very distinct gray and black bands.
Adults nectar at dusk so you may see them in the garden at that
time. |
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Hemaris diffinis
USGS,
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:
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This moth is recorded for Fresno County,
and it should be present wherever grapes are found.
Fight would be from June to August. Larvae feed on grape foliage. |
Macroglossini Tribe:
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Arctonotus lucidus
USGS/JM, the Pacific Green
Sphinx Moth or Bear SphinxThis species is confirmed in Fresno
County by Jackie Mccoy.
It tends to be an mid winter (January) flier, on the
wing in the early evening. It comes to lights at night. |
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Adults nectar at flowers during the warm parts of the day.
Euproserpinus phaeton adults fly swiftly and close to the ground over
dry washes and flat areas in deserts as a single brood from
February-April.
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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. |
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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. |
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