Sphinginae subfamily
Sphingini tribe:
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This species is enountered in Los Angeles County and in other
southern California counties. 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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This species is recorded in Los Angeles County.
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 USGS, 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. |
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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. |
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This species is reported in Los Angeles County.
Adults fly as a single brood in the desert and in pinyon-juniper
woodland from May to August. |
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Sphinx vashti WO Questionable!, the Snowberry Sphinx,
Snowberry Sphinx adults fly as a single brood in montane woodlands and along prairie
streamcourses from April to August, usually further north.
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 at the apex. |
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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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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This species is more likely to occur as an occasional stray rather than as a breeding resident.
As a migrant stray it would be seen later in the season, July-August. |
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The abdomen has very distinct gray and black bands.
Adults nectar at dusk so you may see them in the garen at that time. |
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During the night adults nectar at flowers, including bouncing bet
(Saponaria officinalis) and Asystasia gangetica beginning at dusk.
July and August are flight times in the southern states.
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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:
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This moth is reported for Los Angeles County, and should be fairly
common.
Fight would be from June to August. Larvae feed on grape foliage. |
Macroglossini Tribe:
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Arctonotus lucidus USGS, the Pacific Green
Sphinx Moth or Bear SphinxThis species is confirmed in Los Angeles
County. It tends to be an late winter-early spring flier, on the
wing in the early evening. It comes to lights at night. |
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Euproserpinus euterpe adults fly in pastures and fallow fields
as a single brood from late January-February-April. They nectar at
flowers of filaree (Erodium) and Nemophila during the
warm parts of the day.
This species is listed as "threatened" in its known range. |
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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 TM, the White-lined Sphinx
Adults usually fly at dusk, during the night, at dawn, and during the day. Trish Meyer reports moths nectaring at
salvia and ovipositing on Epilobium cana (California fuchsia) and Hooker's Evening Primrose. |
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Adults fly in the afternoon from March-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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