Canyon County, Idaho
Sphingidae

Hyles lineata, Nampa, Canyon County, Idaho,
May 3, 2008, courtesy of Amy Weidner and Michell Tomaskovich

This page is dedicated to Amy Weidner and Michell Tomaskovich. Amy sent me the image above, taken by her Aunt Michell in Nampa.

Michell writes, "The Hyles lineata, the white-lined sphinx photo was taken May 3, 2008 in my back yard in Nampa (Canyon County), Idaho, around 5:00 pm. We were amazed! I have never seen one, and I have lived in Idaho all my life. You have my permission to use the photo on your website."

Seventeen Sphingidae species are listed on USGS for Idaho. Almost all of the species are reported or anticipated in Canyon 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 Canyon 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 (five species: White-lined sphinx (Hyles lineata); Five-spotted hawkmoth (Manduca quinquemaculata); One-eyed sphinx (Smerinthus cerisyi); Vashti sphinx (Sphinx vashti) and Wild cherry sphinx (Sphinx drupiferarum)) 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 USGS, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth
This species is confirmed in Canyon County, and the 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 Canyon County. I only see them occasionally on P.E.I. despite visiting lights frequently. Larvae are large and beautiful.

Sphinx perelegans WO, 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 WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx,
This large poplar/willow feeder possibly flies in Canyon 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 Canyon.

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 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.

Macroglossinae subfamily

Dilophonotini tribe

Hemaris diffinis WO, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth
This day flying moth is widely distributed in Idaho.
I suspect I will get reports from Canyon County.

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 WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx
This species is not officially reported from Ada County; however, if you have Gallium or Epilobium, you probably have populations of this species.

Hyles lineata USGS/AW?MT, 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, Nampa, May 3, 2008, 5:00 pm, Amy Weidner and Michell Tomaskovich.

Proserpinus clarkiae WO, Clark's Sphinx
This day flier is not officially reported from Canyon 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 Canyon, 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.
Use your browser "Back" button to return to the previous page.
This page is brought to you by Bill Oehlke and the WLSS. Pages are on space rented from Bizland. If you would like to become a "Patron of the Sphingidae Site", contact Bill.
Please send sightings/images to Bill. I will do my best to respond to requests for identification help.

Show appreciation for this site by clicking on flashing butterfly to the left.
The link will take you to a page with links to many insect sites.

Canyon County, Idaho Sphingidae

Hyles lineata, Nampa, Canyon County, Idaho, May 3, 2008, courtesy of Amy Weidner and Michell Tomaskovich

Sphinginae subfamily

Sphingini tribe:

Manduca quinquemaculata USGS, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This species is confirmed in Canyon County, and the 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 Canyon County. I only see them occasionally on P.E.I. despite visiting lights frequently. Larvae are large and beautiful.

Sphinx perelegans WO, the Elegant SphinxThe 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 WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx, This large poplar/willow feeder possibly flies in Canyon 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 Canyon.

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 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.

Macroglossinae subfamily

Dilophonotini tribe

Hemaris diffinis WO, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth This day flying moth is widely distributed in Idaho. I suspect I will get reports from Canyon County.

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 WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This species is not officially reported from Ada County; however, if you have Gallium or Epilobium, you probably have populations of this species.

Hyles lineata USGS/AW?MT, 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 WO, Clark's Sphinx This day flier is not officially reported from Canyon 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 Canyon, but it has been found to the north, east, south and west in meadows near coniferous forests.

Canyon County, Idaho
Sphingidae

Hyles lineata, Nampa, Canyon County, Idaho,
May 3, 2008, courtesy of Amy Weidner and Michell Tomaskovich

Manduca quinquemaculata USGS, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth
This species is confirmed in Canyon County, and the 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 Canyon County. I only see them occasionally on P.E.I. despite visiting lights frequently. Larvae are large and beautiful.

Sphinx perelegans WO, 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.

Pachysphinx modesta WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx,
This large poplar/willow feeder possibly flies in Canyon 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 Canyon.

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 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.

Hemaris diffinis WO, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth
This day flying moth is widely distributed in Idaho.
I suspect I will get reports from Canyon County.

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 WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx
This species is not officially reported from Ada County; however, if you have Gallium or Epilobium, you probably have populations of this species.

Hyles lineata USGS/AW?MT, 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 WO, Clark's Sphinx
This day flier is not officially reported from Canyon 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 Canyon, but it has been found to the north, east, south and west in meadows near coniferous forests.