Sphinx canadensis, Peterborough, Ontario, June 13, 2005, courtesy of Tim Dyson.

This site has been created by Bill Oehlke at oehlkew@islandtelecom.com
Comments, suggestions and/or additional information, especially sightings, are welcomed by Bill.

TAXONOMY: Family: Sphingidae, Latreille, 1802 Subfamily: Sphinginae, Latreille, 1802 Tribe: Sphingini, Latreille, 1802 Genus: Sphinx Linnaeus, 1758 ........... Species: canadensis Boisduval, [1875]

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DISTRIBUTION:

The Canadian Sphinx Moth, Sphinx canadensis (Wing span: 2 3/4 - 3 3/8 inches (7 - 8.5 cm)), flies from Newfoundland west to western Ontario and into Manitoba; south to New York, Kentucky, and Arkansas. Quebec is the specimen type locality. Dr. Richard Westwood, Associate Professor Center for Forest Interdisciplinary Research and Depts. of Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Winnipeg, reports they are moderately common near Winnipeg, Manitoba. I have never seen one on Prince Edward Island.Sphinx canadensis Peterborough, Ontario, June 13, 2005, courtesy of Tim Dyson.

The absence of the white spot on each forewing and the more brownish coloration serve to separate canadensis from S. poecilus. The hindwing fringe also tends to be white on poecilus and checkered brownish on canadensis.

Sphinx canadensis scan by Bill Oehlke.

The upperside of the forewing is gray-brown or yellow-gray with black streaks along and between the veins and an interrupted white line along the outer margin. The upperside of the hindwing is black with white bands.

Sphinx canadensis, Peterborough, Ontario, June 30, 2005, courtesy of Tim Dyson.

Sphinx canadensis, Peterborough, Ontario, June 30, 2005, courtesy of Tim Dyson.

FLIGHT TIMES:

Sphinx canadensis adults fly as a single brood from May-September in the northeast. There are two broods from May-June and August-September in Arkansas.

ECLOSION:

Pupae probably wiggle to surface from subterranean chambers just prior to eclosion.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Females call in the males with a pheromone released from a gland at the tip of the abdomen. Adults probably nectar at a variety of flowers.

EGGS, LARVAE, PUPAE:

Larval hosts are white ash (Fraxinus americana) and blueberry (Vaccinium).

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