DISTRIBUTION:

The rare Clemen's Sphinx Moth, Sphinx luscitiosa (Wing span: 2 1/4 - 3 1/8 inches (5.7 - 7.8 cm)), flies from Nova Scotia south to New Jersey; west through Michigan, Wisconsin (specimen type locality), and the northern plains to Alberta, Saskatchewan and Montana; south to Utah. It has been taken as far north as the Yukon.

Sphinx luscitiosa male courtesy National Resources Canada.

The upperside of the forewing is yellowish gray in males and pale gray with a faint yellow tint in females. In both sexes, the dark border on the outer margin widens as it approaches the inner margin. The upperside of the hindwing is deep yellow in males, pale yellow in females; both with a wide black border.

FLIGHT TIMES:

Sphinx luscitiosa adults fly as a single brood from June-July.

ECLOSION:

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

Sphinx luscitiosa female courtesy of Jonathon Tubbs.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Females call in the males with a pheromone released from a gland at the tip of the abdomen. Calling begins at dusk. Adults nectar at a variety of flowers including Russian-olive.

Moths may also feed on decomposing fish.

Sphinx luscitiosa female courtesy National Resources Canada.

EGGS, LARVAE, PUPAE:

Larval hosts are willow (Salix), poplar (Populus), birch (Betula), apple (Malus), ash (Fraxinus), waxmyrtle (Morella), and northern bayberry.

Sphinx luscitiosa, fourth instar, northern Michigan, courtesy of Jonathan Tubbs.

Sphinx luscitiosa, fifth instar, northern Michigan (Otsego County), courtesy of Jonathan Tubbs.

The larval skin is much smoother in the final instar, having lost the grainy appearance evident in the fourth instar.

Sphinx luscitiosa, pupa, northern Michigan, courtesy of Jonathan Tubbs.

Return to Sphingidae Index
Return to Sphingini Tribe