Bonner County, Northern Idaho
Sphingidae

Smerinthus ophthalmica?? male, Bonner County, Idaho,
July 1, 2009, courtesy of Sherry Hartwig.

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Sherry Hartwig who sent me sightings of Smerinthus ophthalmica July 1, 2009.

Sherry write, "Good evening, This moth was outside on my house this morning and stayed there for quite awhile. I have never seen a moth such as this. I live in Northern Idaho and was wondering if you could me identify it.

"Thank you for your time."

Seventeen Sphingidae species are listed on USGS for Idaho. Almost all of the species are reported or anticipated in Bonner 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 Bonner County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present or might be present.

A USGS indicates the moth is reported on the USGS website where ten species are reported as of July 3, 2009

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 quinquemaculatus WO, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This species is probably present (unreported) and larvae feed on tomatoes and go by the common name of "Tomato Hornworms". Sphinx drupiferarum USGS, the Wild Cherry Sphinx This species is reported on the USGS for Bonner County. I only see them occasionally on P.E.I. despite visiting lights frequently. Sphinx perelegans USGS, the Elegant Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is dark grey to black with a paler costa and pale area from the base to the wing's centre. Prefered habitats include montane woodlands and mixed chaparral-type vegetation. Sphinx vashti USGS, 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 USGS, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx, This large poplar/willow feeder flies in Bonner County. They are a heavy bodied species. Pachysphinx occidentalis WO, the Big Poplar Sphinx This one is quite similar to Pachysphinx modesta, with modesta being smaller and darker. There may be naturally occuring hybrids in Bonner. Paonias excaecata USGS, 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 probably widespread and common. This species ranges across North America. The hindwings have a small blue eyespot ringed with black on a yellow background. Smerinthus jamaicensis WO, the Twin-spotted Sphinx Jamaicensis closely resembles cerisyi, but jamaicensis is much smaller with larger blue patches on more vibrant and deeper purple in the lower wings. Look for dark half moon, inwardly lined with white at the fw apex. possibility Smerinthus opthalmica MPNw Larvae feed on poplars, aspen and willows. Note different shape of double arced forewing pm line compared to the straighter pm line of cerisyi, directly above. S. ophthalmica has smoother scalloping of the fw outer margin. Smerinthus ophthalmica, July 1, 2009, Sherry Hartwig Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe Hemaris diffinis USGS, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth This species is officially reported from Bonner, and this day flying moth is widely distributed in Idaho. Hemaris senta WO Rocky Mountain clearwing This moth (a day flier in mountain meadows) is easily confused with Hemaris diffinis. Macroglossini tribe Arctonotus lucidus WO, the Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear Sphinx The Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear Sphinx tends to be an early spring flier, on the wing in the early evening. It comes to lights at night. Hyles gallii USGS, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This species is officially reported from Bonner County; however, if you have Gallium or Epilobium, you probably have populations of this species. Hyles lineata USGS, 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. Proserpinus clarkiae USGS, Clark's Sphinx This day flier is officially reported from Bonner County, It flies from April-June, prefering oak woodland and pine-oak woodland in foothills. Moths nectar at a variety of flowers in the afternoon. Proserpinus flavofasciata WO, the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx This day flier is not officially reported from Bonner, but it has been found to the north, east, south and west in meadows near coniferous forests.

Enjoy some of nature's wonderments, giant silk moth cocoons. These cocoons are for sale winter and fall. Beautiful Saturniidae moths will emerge the following spring and summer. Read Actias luna rearing article. Additional online help available.

Eggs of many North American species are offered during the spring and summer. Occasionally summer Actias luna and summer Antheraea polyphemus cocoons are available. Shipping to US destinations is done from with in the US.

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