Updated as per James P. Tuttle's The Hawk Moths of North America, June 2009

Josephine County, Oregon

Sphingidae

Hemaris thetis necaring at milkweed, Wolf Creek, Josephine Co., Oregon,
June 11, 2009, courtesy of Edna Bottorff.

This page is dedicated to Edna Bottorff of Wolf Creek, Josephine County, Oregon, for her abiding interest in lepidoptera.

Edna sends the images of Hemaris diffinis (now thetis) at top and bottom of this page, and she writes, "Remember last year (2008) I reported these in June and August? Well here they are. I saw one three days ago but couldn't get a pic and it rained the last 3 days. They are thick on the milkweed."

Edna has also verified Paonias excaecata and Sphinx sequoiae. She found a sphingid larva in summer of 2008, successfully overwintered the pupa and sent an image of the adult moth which emerged around 11:30 pm on June 29.

Edna has also been seeing the Sequoia Sphinx June 24-29 and has a female laying eggs on incense cedar.

She has also been able to confirm Sphinx chersis, Sphinx perelegans, Eumorpha achemon, Smerinthus cerisyi and Hyles lineata.

Sphinx sequoiae male, Wolf Creek, Josephine County, Oregon,
June 29, 2009, courtesy of Edna Bottorff.

Twenty-three Sphingidae species are listed in the USGS for Oregon. Not all of the species are reported (nine by USGS) or anticipated in Josephine.
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 Josephine County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present.
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 USGS, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth
This large bodied moth flies in tobacco fields and vegetable gardens (potatoes, tomatoes) and wherever host plants are found.

Sphinx chersis WO/EB, 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.
Sphinx chersis, Wolf Creek, July 17, 2009, Edna Bottorff.

Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx
Forewings, long and slender, are held close to the body when the moth is at rest. We have them on P.E.I., but I do not see them nearly as frequently as I see the other Sphingidae.

Sphinx perelegans USGS/EB, the Elegant Sphinx
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.
Sphinx perelegans, Wolf Creek, June 11, 2009, July 16, 2009, Edna Bottorff
Sphinx perelegans, Wolf Creek, August 19-20, 2009, Edna Bottorff

Sphinx sequoiae USGS/EB, the Sequoiae Sphinx
This species is reported in Josephine.
Adults fly as a single brood in the desert and in pinyon-juniper woodland from May to August.
Sphinx sequoiae, Wolf Creek, June 24-28, 2009, Edna Bottorff

Sphinx vashti WO, the Snowberry Sphinx,
Snowberry Sphinx adults fly as a single brood in montane woodlands and along prairie streamcourses from April to August.
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:

Paonias excaecata USGS/EB, the Blinded Sphinx,
The outer margin of the forewing is quite wavy. There is a dark cell spot and a dark oblique line mid wing from the costa almost to the inner margin. Basic ground colour is pinkish brown.
Flight would be June-July.
Paonias excaecata, June 30, 2009, eclosion from found larva, reared on apple, Edna Bottorff.

Pachysphinx modesta USGS, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx,
This large poplar/willow feeder is probably rare in Josephine County, the southern most limit of its western range. They are a heavy bodied species.

Pachysphinx occidentalis USGS, the Big Poplar Sphinx
This one is quite similar to Pachysphinx modesta, with modesta being smaller and darker.
Moths should be on the wing from June-August.

Smerinthus cerisyi USGS/EB, 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, with a partial second brood on the wing in August-September.
Smerinthus cerisyi, Wolf Creek, August 18, 2009, Edna Bottorff.

Macroglossinae subfamily

Dilophonotini Tribe:

Hemaris thysbe WO, the Hummingbird Clearwing,
Many gardeners mistake this moth for a small hummingbird as it hovers, sipping nectar from flowers through a long feeding tube. Flight is probably from late May-July and possibly again in the fall.

Hemaris thetis WO/EB, the Thetis Clearwing or Bee Hawk 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.
Hemaris thetis, Wolf creek, June and August flights, 2008, Edna Bottorff.
Hemaris thetis, June 8, 11, 2009, Edna Bottorff.

Philampelini Tribe:

Eumorpha achemon USGS/EB, the Achemon Sphinx. This moth is reported for Josephine, but would probably be rare in the northern most limit of its western range, athough Edna reports many vineyards and wild grapes in creek bottoms, so might be locally common. Fight would be from June to August.

Eumorpha achemon, Wolf Creek, July 17, 2009, Edna Bottorff.

Macroglossini Tribe:

Arctonotus lucidus USGS, the Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear Sphinx
This species is confirmed in Josephine County.
It tends to be an early spring flier, on the wing in the early evening. It comes to lights at night.

Hyles lineata WO/EB, the White-lined Sphinx
Adults usually fly at dusk, during the night, and at dawn, but they also fly during the day over a wide variety of open habitats including deserts, suburbs, and gardens.
Hyles lineata, Wolf Creek, July 4, 2009, Edna Bottorff.

Proserpinus clarkiae WO, Clark's Sphinx,
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.

Proserpinus flavofasciata WO, the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx
This species is probably in Josephine County. Adults fly as a single brood from April-June in meadows in coniferous forests. Adults fly during the afternoon.

Hemaris thetis necaring at milkweed, Wolf Creek, Josephine Co., Oregon,
June 11, 2009, courtesy of Edna Bottorff.

Hemaris thetis necaring at milkweed, Wolf Creek, Josephine Co., Oregon,
June 11, 2009, courtesy of Edna Bottorff.

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Josephine County, Oregon

Sphingidae

Hemaris thetis necaring at milkweed, Wolf Creek, Josephine Co., Oregon, June 11, 2009, courtesy of Edna Bottorff.

Sphinginae subfamily

Sphingini tribe:

Manduca quinquemaculatus USGS, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This large bodied moth flies in tobacco fields and vegetable gardens (potatoes, tomatoes) and wherever host plants are found.

Sphinx chersis WO/EB, 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.

Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry SphinxForewings, long and slender, are held close to the body when the moth is at rest. We have them on P.E.I., but I do not see them nearly as frequently as I see the other Sphingidae.

Sphinx perelegans USGS/EB, the Elegant Sphinx 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.

Sphinx sequoiae USGS/EB, the Sequoiae Sphinx This species is reported in Josephine. Adults fly as a single brood in the desert and in pinyon-juniper woodland from May to August.

Smerinthini Tribe:

Paonias excaecata USGS/EB, the Blinded Sphinx, The outer margin of the forewing is quite wavy. There is a dark cell spot and a dark oblique line mid wing from the costa almost to the inner margin. Basic ground colour is pinkish brown. Flight would be June-July.

Pachysphinx modesta USGS, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx, This large poplar/willow feeder is probably rare in Josephine County, the southern most limit of its western range. They are a heavy bodied species.

Pachysphinx occidentalis USGS, the Big Poplar Sphinx This one is quite similar to Pachysphinx modesta, with modesta being smaller and darker. Moths should be on the wing from June-August.

Smerinthus cerisyi USGS/EB, 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, with a partial second brood on the wing in August-September.

Macroglossinae subfamily

Dilophonotini Tribe:

Hemaris thysbe WO, the Hummingbird Clearwing, Many gardeners mistake this moth for a small hummingbird as it hovers, sipping nectar from flowers through a long feeding tube. Flight is probably from late May-July and possibly again in the fall.

Hemaris thetis WO/EB, the Thetis Clearwing or Bee Hawk 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:

Eumorpha achemon USGS/EB, the Achemon Sphinx. This moth is reported for Josephine, but would probably be rare in the northern most limit of its western range, athough Edna reports many vineyards and wild grapes in creek bottoms, so might be locally common. Fight would be from June to August.

Macroglossini Tribe:

Arctonotus lucidus USGS, the Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear SphinxThis species is confirmed in Josephine County. It tends to be an early spring flier, on the wing in the early evening. It comes to lights at night.

Hyles lineata WO/EB, the White-lined Sphinx Adults usually fly at dusk, during the night, and at dawn, but they also fly during the day over a wide variety of open habitats including deserts, suburbs, and gardens.

Proserpinus clarkiae WO, Clark's Sphinx, 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.

Proserpinus flavofasciata WO, the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx This species is probably in Josephine County. Adults fly as a single brood from April-June in meadows in coniferous forests. Adults fly during the afternoon.

Hemaris thetis necaring at milkweed, Wolf Creek, Josephine Co., Oregon,
June 11, 2009, courtesy of Edna Bottorff.

Manduca quinquemaculatus USGS, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth
This large bodied moth flies in tobacco fields and vegetable gardens (potatoes, tomatoes) and wherever host plants are found.

Sphinx chersis WO/EB, 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.

Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx
Forewings, long and slender, are held close to the body when the moth is at rest. We have them on P.E.I., but I do not see them nearly as frequently as I see the other Sphingidae.

Sphinx perelegans USGS/EB, the Elegant Sphinx
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.

Sphinx sequoiae USGS/EB, the Sequoiae Sphinx
This species is reported in Josephine.
Adults fly as a single brood in the desert and in pinyon-juniper woodland from May to August.

Paonias excaecata USGS/EB, the Blinded Sphinx,
The outer margin of the forewing is quite wavy. There is a dark cell spot and a dark oblique line mid wing from the costa almost to the inner margin. Basic ground colour is pinkish brown.
Flight would be June-July.

Pachysphinx modesta USGS, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx,
This large poplar/willow feeder is probably rare in Josephine County, the southern most limit of its western range. They are a heavy bodied species.

Pachysphinx occidentalis USGS, the Big Poplar Sphinx
This one is quite similar to Pachysphinx modesta, with modesta being smaller and darker.
Moths should be on the wing from June-August.

Smerinthus cerisyi USGS/EB, 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, with a partial second brood on the wing in August-September.

Hemaris thysbe WO, the Hummingbird Clearwing,
Many gardeners mistake this moth for a small hummingbird as it hovers, sipping nectar from flowers through a long feeding tube. Flight is probably from late May-July and possibly again in the fall.

Hemaris thetis WO/EB, the Thetis Clearwing or Bee Hawk 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.

Arctonotus lucidus USGS, the Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear Sphinx
This species is confirmed in Josephine County.
It tends to be an early spring flier, on the wing in the early evening. It comes to lights at night.

Hyles lineata WO/EB, the White-lined Sphinx
Adults usually fly at dusk, during the night, and at dawn, but they also fly during the day over a wide variety of open habitats including deserts, suburbs, and gardens.

Proserpinus clarkiae WO, Clark's Sphinx,
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.

Proserpinus flavofasciata WO, the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx
This species is probably in Josephine County. Adults fly as a single brood from April-June in meadows in coniferous forests. Adults fly during the afternoon.