Sphingini tribe:
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Ceratomia amyntor WO,
the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx
This moth is officially recorded in Essex (May and July), and it
has been taken in eastern Maine and eastern New
Hampshire and in much of Connecticut.
Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and cherry (Prunus). |
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This is generally a more southerly species, but it has been recorded
in Boxford, June 27, 1998.
I saw them in great numbers in New Jersey. The larvae feed in large groups and are much more
spectacular than the moths.
Catalpa is the larval host. |
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This moth is recorded in Essex (Boxford July 8, 2001, May 21, 2004 and Topsfield July 18, 1995)
and has been observed to the north, west and south.
It is named for the wavy lines on the forewings. |
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This moth is recorded in Essex (Boxford June 23, 1999; June 12, 2002)
it has been taken to the north, west and south. Larve are not limited to pawpaw.
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Reported from Essex (Topsfield and Boxford, July), it is widely
reported in Massachusetts and along the coast in New Hamshire and
Vermont. This is another one we have on P.E.I.
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Although not officially reported from Essex, it is widely reported in
Massachusetts and along the coast in New Hamshire and Vermont.
If you've got pines, this species is likely present. |
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This species is recorded in Essex (Boxford and Danvers, August-September). I suspect if you
grow tomatoes you have encountered it.
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This species is recorded in Essex (Boxford, June and August).
If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it.
Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant. |
Paratrea plebeja WO,
Sphinx canadaensis WO, rare
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Sphinx chersis USGS, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx
This species is probably still present (Boxford, 1979) but may not be common.
Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen.
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This species is presentand has been taken in Middleton and Boxford
in May/June and August. We have them on P.E.I., but I do not see them nearly as frequently
as I see the other Sphingidae. |
Sphinx eremitus, WO,
Sphinx gordius, USGS,
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This species is reported in Essex (Boxford and Topsfield, June).
I have taken them on P.E.I., Canada, and reared them on
lilac. At rest the hindwings are usually completely covered.
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Sphinx luscitiosa MDA,
the Canadian Sphinx or
Clemen's Sphinx
This one is reported from Essex (Boxford, June 1999), and it flies
to the south and west in Massachusetts
and can be fairly common in New Hampshire and Maine. |
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If you have blueberries in the woods, then you probably have the Poecila Sphinx.
They are pretty common here on Prince Edward Island, but don't fly
too far south of Massachusetts, being replaced by Sphinx gordius
in Connecticut. |
Smerinthini Tribe:
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This moth is also fairly widely reported to the north, west and south
of Essex (Boxford and Topsfield, July and August).
This is the first Sphinx species I reared as a boy in New Jersey.
See the file for the female; she is different. |
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Pachysphinx modesta WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx
This moth is found to the north, west and south of Essex so it is
probably present there too.
They are common on Prince Edward Island. |
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Matthew has two sightings for Essex (June 1999, July 1997). It would be more common
in southern Massachusetts and is a relatively uncommon species.
Only rarely are they seen in Maine. I never saw one in New Jersey. QUESTIONABLE
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Named for the dull grey-blue spot in the hindwing, this moth has a
wide distribution and is probably common in Orange County.
I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. |
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Paonias myops USGS, the Small-eyed Sphinx
Named for the small eye-spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution
and is probably common in Orange County.
I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida.
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Essex (Methuen, September 3, 1998) is probably the southern limit of
the eastern range for this species. I never saw
one in New Jersey. At my home in Montague, P.E.I., Canada, they are quite common. QUESTIONABLE |
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This moth is widely distributed and fairly common.
Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida. |
Macroglossinae subfamily
Dilophonotini tribe:
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Hemaris thysbe MDA, the Hummingbird Clearwing
This interesting day flier is confirmed for Essex (Boxford, Danvers, Topsfield; June and August.
They are widely distributed in the east from P.E.I. to Florida. |
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Hemaris gracilis MDA, The Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing
This day flier is not commonly reported, but is present in Essex (Boxford, September 7, 2001). |
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Hemaris diffinis MDA, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth
This moth is widely distributed and often reported north, west and south of Essex
(Boxford, June-July).
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Philampelini tribe:
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This moth is reported for Essex (Boxford, June 18, 1997),
and it is fairly often reported
along the coast from southern New Jersey
to central Maine.
Note the differences between this moth and the Pandorus Sphinx. |
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This moth is a very strong flier and is often reported far north of
its normal range. It would be a rare stray to Essex (Boxford, July 9, 1997),
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If you have Grape or Virginia Creeper nearby, then you probably have this species.
I often get asked to identify larvae from areas where they have not previously been reported.
Topsfield, August 21, 1995. |
Macroglossini tribe:
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This day flier is widely distributed (Topsfield, Groveland; June). If you have Virginia Creeper, you
probably have the Nessus Sphinx.
Two bright, distinct, narrow yellow
bands are often visible on the abdomen.
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They are common in New Jersey and common
here on Prince Edward Island.
You will often see this species listed as Darapsa pholus,
especially in older literature. Matthew reports it in June-July in Boxford |
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Darapsa myron MDA, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx
This moth is recorded on the U.S.G.S. site for Essex County (Boxford, July).
It is widely reported as far north as southern Maine. If you have the foodplants
indicated in the common names, you probably have this species nearby. |
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If you have hydrangea growing near a stream, then you may have the
Hydrnagea Sphinx. It has not been widely reported (Boxford: July 29, 1984), however, and
probably is uncommon or not present.
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This species has been recorded in western Massachusetts and just
south of Essex so it is not surprising to find Matthew's sighting in Boxford, May 16, 1997.
It is generally absent to the north so would be uncommon. |
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Hyles gallii MDA, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth
or Gallium Sphinx
This species is reported in Topsfield and Boxford in June.
Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not.
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Hyles lineata MDA, the White-lined Sphinx
This species is reported from Essex County (May 17, 1999).
It is a strong migrator from the south,
and there are records from the west and to the north. |
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This moth is very much under reported (Boxford, Topsfield, Danvers; May-June). It is a
rapid day flier so is probably not in too many collections. Grape is a popular larval host.
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